Planet Music

Sorry for the long delay in posting - I have been on "Planet Music", otherwise known as the Autumn KMEIA NSW teacher training course. This was a week of intensive training in musicianship, conducting and teaching methods. It was extremely demanding but greatly worthwhile and wonderful. The teachers are always brilliant and I highly recommend the course for any music teachers in early childhood or primary school settings.

I am already accredited to teach young children, but I'm back this year to see what happens in early primary school - to see "where we're headed" with all the early childhood work.

Highlights of the course this time included:

• Meeting up with friends from all over the place who come together to study - this is the final year for many of us
• The opportunity to try out songs, games and dances for ourselves in the practicum classes
• Choir at the end of each day
• Ensemble work, and the notorious "sing and plays"
• Composing our own canons in musicianship
• A lecture from the beautiful Ms Jenone Nagy ("Insie") from the National Association of Hungarian Kindergarten Teachers.

Image: 'music rocks my world'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/20005495@N00/61581047

What makes a great early childhood music teacher?

This is a bit presumptuous of me, but I reckon I have a few ideas about what makes a great children's music teacher. Bear in mind that this is just my opinion - a product of my experiences, both good and bad. I have taken my young children to half a dozen different music teachers over the years, so have a bit of experience. I am also studying the Kodaly approach, so I am looking at this through a Kodaly lens. I am not saying, however, that the only good teachers follow that approach.

So - here is my list of the characteristics of a great music teacher for young children (under 6). I might expand on some of these points in future posts.

• Likes the company of children
• Gets along with your child
• Loves music, and generates enthusiasm for music
  
• Great musicianship (can sing in tune, play an instrument, read music)
• Detailed understanding of child development
• Makes their own detailed lesson plans, but does not have a "script" that must be followed
• Has an overall plan for helping children to develop over the long term (7 years), with musical objectives and general developmental goals
• Limits the group size to levels appropriate for the age of the children
• Provides a varied and interesting lesson
• Helpfully and cheerfully answers your questions and offers useful advice
• Is relaxed about younger siblings, tantrums, and those times when your child would rather not participate.

There are probably other things I will remember later. If so, I'll add them.

Personally, I also prefer that the teacher is not part of a franchise. I know that all teachers are paid for their work. However, there is a difference between a professional association and a franchise. A professional association (like KMEIA), exists to educate teachers to a high standard, and advocate for children and teachers. There is no pressure on this type of organisation to endorse a teacher if their work is not up to scratch. A franchise exists mainly to make money. There are probably some great teachers who happen to belong to a franchise, but it's better to be aware of the difference.

Anyway, that's my list as of 12.25 am tonight. Let me know if you agree/disagree.

Image: 'The pianist'
www.flickr.com/photos/8034873@N07/1499953615