The key to teaching children to play an instrument lies in giving them expectations, from what they can expect in lessons and what is expected of them, to the playing you model for them as you work together, and how much time they need to spend practicing. The parents of your students will also fare better in your studio if they too are given clear expectations. Providing parents with a simple Studio Policies and Procedures handout allows you keep conflicts and misunderstandings to a minimum, and it can save you from answering the same questions dozens of times. In the end, this means more time for you and your students’ parents to support that child’s music education.
