It’s normal to be nervous before a first lesson in a new activity. Especially for kids with neurodivergent learning needs. However, reducing those first piano lesson worries starts with a simple change in the registration process.
Traditional Registration Process
Over the years, I’ve felt incredibly fortunate to work with parents who are open about what it’s like to register their kids in extracurricular activities. Especially those whose children have diagnoses such as ADHD, Autism, Dyspraxia, and other learner needs.
Sometimes it’s amazing, and I’m thrilled for them. Other times, it’s heartbreaking hearing their stories.
The one thing that stands out each time is how supported families felt before they signed up.
When they felt supported, it was because their child was going into the new situation that they had some familiarity with. They had seen the learning environment and perhaps met with their new teacher.
Each time, the registration process was set up so that everyone – child, parent, and teacher – was going in with their eyes open. There were clear expectations for both the ‘good’ days and the days when things didn’t go as well.
When you want to avoid those first piano lesson worries, the benefits of this approach can really help.
Avoiding First Piano Lesson Worries
In my studio, I have a “Meet ‘n Greet” with all potential students. Much like the name suggests, it’s a chance for my potential students to meet me and to give them a peek into what piano lessons with me can be like. However, this is nothing like a traditional ‘interview’.
Why Do I Meet Students First?
I specialize in teaching neurodivergent piano students. However, individuals with the same diagnosis are just that: individuals. There will be some overarching similarities, but without getting to know the person and learning their goals, it runs the risk of becoming a cookie-cutter approach.
Instead, I want to focus on making my potential student and their parents (when it’s a child) feel comfortable and addressing any piano lesson worries. This allows me to suggest the best programming for that particular student based on their learning needs.
Before Signing Up: Piano For Worried Kids
Here’s what a typical Meet ‘n Greet looks like in my studio. The goal is for us to meet and answer any first piano lesson worries or questions before you sign up. In some ways, though, it’s the start of us working together as a team to support your child. And it’s just 4 steps.
Step 1:
I spend a few minutes getting to know my potential student as a person. We’re not jumping right into piano (unless they want to). Instead, I get to learn about them … or their pets, sports they play, or how much fun recess was. The goal is to reduce the piano lesson worries and get to know a bit about them.
Step 2:
Next are some low-stress, fun activities that are a mix of away from and at the piano. To your child, it’s just playing around with sounds. For me, I’m figuring out their strengths, what they will need extra help with, and their attention span.
Again, the goal here is to keep your child relaxed and provide encouragement. I’m not expecting perfection. The specific activities tend to be pretty similar, but I take my cue from your child. It’s more important to keep things light and supportive than check off boxes for pedagogical baselines.
Step 3:
Time for student questions! Though, to be honest, I tend to answer these throughout as well. It all depends on my potential student and how inquisitive and comfortable they feel.
Some students ask when I started learning piano, what piano lessons with me are like, or about my teaching style. Others want to know if I have pets, whether I like dinosaurs, or my favourite colour. While those last three may seem random, they are about whether we have enough in common to spend more time together. Fair enough.
Step 4:
Time for parent questions! Chances are we’ve answered most of these in emails before the Meet ‘n Greet. But, as a parent myself, I get it. You want to make sure you’ve done everything to reduce those first piano lesson worries.
At this point, I’m going to give you a programming recommendation that sets your child up for lessons where they can end with a smile and look forward to playing each week.
Some of the things I take into account are:
- Attention span
- Whether we need movement breaks
- The types of activities that will best support your child
- Goals your child’s support team is currently working on
Oftentimes, I can help your child’s support team during piano lessons with:
- Rigidity: Body or thinking
- Expressing emotions or thoughts
- Fine motor skills
- And much more
I’ll also let you know what the plan is when your child has a sensory overload day. They will happen at some point. But they’re not the end of lessons. Having a plan in place is not only to reduce those first piano lesson worries, but to make sure you, as a parent, feel supported as well.
After our meeting, I will email you all the information, including a link to register and an invitation to ask any other questions that may have come up.
Piano Lessons For Worried Kids
And perhaps worried parents? A piano teacher who specializes in working with neurodivergent students will have a different approach right from the start.
If this sounds perfect for avoiding those first piano lesson worries, I’d love to meet your family! You can book a free Meet ‘N Greet at MustLoveMusic.ca/Contact.
And if you’re not quite ready, here is one of the activities I like to do during this first Meet ‘n Greet to put students at ease.
Now I’d love to hear from you: What tends to be your child’s biggest worry or question before starting a new activity?
