Top 10 parenting tips for successful piano lessons

Photo: istockphoto/robcruse

By Julie lind @http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-18722-Minneapolis-Piano-Lesson-Examiner~y2009m8d17-Top-10-parenting-tips-for-successful-piano-lessons

Here are my top ten parenting tips for successful piano lessons:

1. Find a good piano teacher. Keep in mind that each child has different needs. For some children a friendly piano teacher is the most important. For others a strict teacher is best.

2. Invest in a piano. You can not expect to get successful results from piano lessons if you are not willing to provide a quality piano for your child to practice on.

3. Make practice time a priority. These days it is hard to find time to practice, but without practice there can be no progress.

4. Take away any distractions during practice time. When your child is practicing make sure they are not distracted by siblings, friends, cell phones, or televisions.

5. Check your child's assignment. Most students will try to avoid practicing songs they don't like. It is your job as a parent to make sure the student is practicing all of their assigned songs. Also make sure your child is making all of the corrections the teacher suggested at the prior lesson.

6. Help your child practice. Many children don't know how to practice. Explain to your child that practice means working slowly through songs until they are able to play through the songs without mistakes.

7. Bring all of the lesson materials to the lesson. Children will often "forget" a book if they don't want to play a song for their piano teacher. Be sure you check to see that all of their music, theory and assignment books are brought to each lesson.

8. Limit after-school activities. Many parents make the mistake of over-scheduling their child. Piano lessons are more than a half hour commitment each week. Students should be committed to practicing at least a half-hour every day.

9. Keep the communication lines open with your piano teacher. If there are any circumstances which are making piano lessons difficult for your child, let your piano teacher know. Perhaps there is a divorce or death in the family, or maybe your child dislikes their method book. Surprisingly many children will not offer this type of information during the lesson.

10. Expect to have good and bad times. It is normal for a student to feel excited about piano one day, and dread it the next. Try to work through the bad times by purchasing piano pieces the student is passionate about such as popular, jazz or Broadway tunes.

By Julie Lind

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-18722-Minneapolis-Piano-Lesson-Examiner~y2009m8d17-Top-10-parenting-tips-for-successful-piano-lessons

More About: piano · piano lessons · music lessons · parenting

How to Get Your Child to Tell You What's on Their Mind

I'm sharing this from my personal experience raising two wonderful boys on my own. Have you ever wanted to know what was on your child's mind but there seemed to be a block with the child in really telling you what was bothering them. Maybe your child had a bad day at school, or something one of their siblings is doing that is bothering them. Maybe for whatever reason they just don't know how to express what's on their mind.

Raising two boys at times I could tell something was bothering one but when I asked they would say nothing. Now I'm talking about children that were between the ages of about 4 to 7. So one night I was putting them to bed and and all three of us would lie there in bed with me in the middle and arms around them and I knew something was wrong between them so I thought why not start singing a tune like we always did at night but this time I made it a game.

I said to them hey I'm going to sing a song but instead of singing exactly as the lyrics go I'm going to put in stuff that made me happy or that bothered me that day. So I'd start signing along and then somewhere in the song I might sing I was happy that Travis picked up his clothes this morning. Maybe next time I'd add Travis made me mad today because he left the door open. Whatever the point is to use your imagination and make a game out of what is bothering you in the song. Then when it was their turn to sing they can do the same thing. What I found out was because they were thinking of it as a game and the lyrics to the song distracted them to I guess they would add in what was bothering them.

It's not an exact technique I know. I'm not some Child Doctor but it worked for me. Get creative I think the point is if you add an activity that helps distract the child a bit and make it fun and they are more willing to share with what's on their mind.

Hi Folks,

Nothing special about me. My greatest claim to fame is being a single father. I raised two wonderful boys on my own since they were 5 and 6. Now they are 27 and 28 grown men. I'm very proud of them. Since I'm semi-retired well I work online at home when I want to, I thought I'd start sharing some of the good things that I have experienced to those that might be considering them. Hope this article will be of help. If you ever want to know more about my experience you can always get a hold of me at http://www.whoispat.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pat_Olds

Parents - Your Solution to Motivating Your Middle School Teenager in School

Parents - Your Solution to Motivating Your Middle School Teenager in School
By Pam Golden
Pam GoldenLevel: Basic PLUSPam Golden is an author, educator, parent, and grandparent. As an elementary school consultant, she has worked with over 15,000 children, 700 teachers,

"When your child enters middle school - it is one of the most painful times of life and it's hard on the kids too!"
Amy's mom was at her wits end when her daughter's grades took a nose dive soon after she entered middle school. Amy had always done so well in elementary school, what happened?

Amy's mom tried to solve the problem by "laying down the law." Insisting that she come home right after school every day and do her homework immediately. She even checked Amy's work daily. That backfired causing a huge rift in their relationship and endless arguments

Difficulty at school and with parents is a common theme for middle school kids. Yet when you realize the changes a middle school child is going through,it can make sense:

• Bodies are changing (raging hormones)
• Brains are undergoing changes becoming more mature but still lack judgment.
• Desperately trying to becoming independent - to stand on their own.
• Going to a much bigger school.
• Now have lots of different teachers who don't have time to help them
• Many choices about which classes to take, activities to join.

Having gone through that years ago, it's easy for parents to forget just how painful, scary and difficult all those changes can be.

You want to let them go, yet there is no way they are ready to be on their own. In fact, they need your guidance more than ever. They just need a different type of help

It turns out there is a powerful technique for supporting your middle school child to do well and achieve in school. It's called "Academic Socialization." When I first heard that word I immediately thought, "Huh, what's that?" Happily, it's much simpler than it sounds

Academic socialization is making the shift from "telling" your child what to do, to "advising and consulting." By making this change you maintain your ability to influence your burgeoning teen, while respecting their growing independence, and teaching them how to make wise decisions.

Here are the basics:

• Sit down with your middle schooler and gently communicate your expectations for education.
• Explain why education is important.
• Listen to your middle schooler carefully so you can understand their point of view
• Set educational goals together.
• Discuss what he or she wants to do in the future
• Take some time each day or week to show the connection between schoolwork and what's happening in the real world.
• Have regular friendly, open meetings to go over how it's going.
• Make it an enjoyable time together.

It may take some energy to get started, but once you make a ritual of sitting down together and going over the agenda, both you and your teen will be thrilled. You will connect in ways you've never done before.

Also, did you know that one type of praise can produce self-defeating behavior and anxiety, while another can move your kids to positive action? Changing a few words can make a night and day difference in your child's life.

If you like to get started learning how to give praise that motivates positive action while building self-esteem and confidence in your child please download my FREE Report on "The Amazing Impact of Effective Praise" at: http://www.basiclifeskillsforchildren.com/amazingpraise

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pam_Golden

PARENTS!! It's Time to Go Back to School -special offers

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Making This Holiday Count

Is there any better way to enjoy this Christmas season and holiday than to spend it having a wonderful time with your family? Possibly have an outdoor event for your kids and so on...

Yeah!! I bet you that One good thing that surpasses all wonderful time you can ever have is to put a smile on a kids face, far away where you may never dream of reaching someday.

I want to encourage all parents reading this to make donations as individuals and as family or even in the name of their children..

READ THIS ......

Happy Holidays from
The Fresh Air Fund!

Knowing that you did something extraordinary for inner-city children this year should warm your heart throughout the holiday season – just as our children’s hearts are warmed by the wonderful memories of their Fresh Air summers!

News Facts
• The Fresh Air Fund relies on donations and partnerships to raise the funds needed to give these children the vacation they deserve.
• The Fresh Air Fund needs hosts for the Summer of 2009

DONATE

You can give a child the experience of alifetime with your gift to The Fresh Air Fund!Every year, The Fresh Air Fund gives thousands of inner-city children the priceless gift of fun – and opens the door to a lifetime of opportunities.Whether it’s a two-week trip to the country to visit a volunteer host family, or a fun-filled and educational stay at one of our camps, our programs make for unforgettable memories – and open a world of new friendships and fresh possibilities.We are a not-for-profit agency and depend on tax-deductible donations from people like you to keep our vital programs flourishing.
Your year-end gift will allow us to invite even more children to experience Fresh Air summers full of learning, fun and new friends. Thank you so much for your generous support. Our entire Fresh Air Fund family wishes you all the best this season.

Donate online now

News Facts
• The Fresh Air Fund relies on donations and partnerships to raise the funds needed to give these children the vacation they deserve.
• The Fresh Air Fund needs hosts for the Summer of 2009

DONATE

You can give a child the experience of alifetime with your gift to The Fresh Air Fund!Every year, The Fresh Air Fund gives thousands of inner-city children the priceless gift of fun – and opens the door to a lifetime of opportunities.Whether it’s a two-week trip to the country to visit a volunteer host family, or a fun-filled and educational stay at one of our camps, our programs make for unforgettable memories – and open a world of new friendships and fresh possibilities.We are a not-for-profit agency and depend on tax-deductible donations from people like you to keep our vital programs flourishing.
Your year-end gift will allow us to invite even more children to experience Fresh Air summers full of learning, fun and new friends. Thank you so much for your generous support. Our entire Fresh Air Fund family wishes you all the best this season.

Donate online now

HOST A CHILD

Thanks to host families who open up their homes for a few weeks each summer, children growing up in New York City’s toughest neighborhoods have experienced the joys of Fresh Air vacations. More than 65% of all children are reinvited to stay with their host family, year after year.Fresh Air Fund Host FamiliesThere is no such thing as a "typical" host family. If you have room in your home - and your heart - to host a child, you could be one too.
Learn More

Fresh Air Fund Children

Fresh Air children are boys and girls, six to 18 years old, who reside in low-income communities in New York City and are eager to experience the simple pleasures of life outside the city. Fresh Air children are boys and girls who live in New York City and are eager to experience the simple pleasures of life outside the city.As one child puts it, "In the city, you have to think about what is going to happen around the next street corner. In the woods, you walk with a group of friends and counselors. You don't even think about city problems."

Barack Obama: The Dream Of All Parents!

It Sure Pay To Have A Dream!

I know quite well beyond every doubt that if Barrack Obama's Grand mother in kenya was told 30 years ago that her grandson would become the president of United states, even the most optimistic dreamer will label such statements as a WILD DREAM from a disillusioned parent.

But today, its not even a vision any longer, its a reality.

I want to share this articles with all parents who are yet to see the potency in being a dreamer.

Barack Hussein Obama: A Beacon of Hope

The U.S. Presidential Election has come and gone and the lessons will remain with us forever. Looking back to what I have been saying for a while on this blog, I am sure you will now believe me that we all can achieve whatever we want to achieve if only we can believe it is possible.
Barack Hussein Obama came into the race for the White House with nothing but a dream. He started the race as “that one,” an object of ridicule but he never wavered in his desire to become the President of the Greatest Nation on earth, the United States of America. Now we all can see where his dream has led him to.

He stood up against opponents he would normally have been intimidated by their profile. He was definitely a no match for Hillary Clinton or John McCain but he was able to come out to the people as a charismatic leader and someone that knows what he wants. His message of change resonates with what the people desires most and even his critics couldn’t help but admire him.

What I have learnt from my study of dreamers, right from the beginning of the world, is that they get whatsoever they have dared to dream about. No matter how big the dream is, the dreamer will always have it not minding how long it takes. I don’t know how long Obama has been dreaming of occupying the White House, but it is evident that this is a dream he believed in so much and he gave his all to achieve it.

“The whole world stand aside to let him pass, who knows where he is going,” is a saying I heard years ago and it is always coming true in the life of every dreamer. When you declare a dream, people will laugh at you, but if you did not allow that to get to you and stop you from following the dream, you will find out that people that have ridiculed you will later come to applaud you. You must NEVER allow people’s opinion stop you from following your dream.

They laughed at Joseph, Henry Ford, Abraham Lincoln, Napoleon Hill, Walt Disney, Ted Turner, Anita Roddick, Bill Gates, Steve Job and even Brack Obama was ridiculed for daring to dream. If this great people were laughed at, at an early stage, in the pursuit of their dreams, and they eventually achieved their heart desires, the moral of their stories, that we all need to pursue our dreams no matter what the obstacles are, should be held close to our heart.

It cost nothing to dream and if you are going to dream, copy Obama and dream BIG! I have learnt that there is no gain in dreaming small because what ever you dream will surely come to pass. Most of the dreams I had years ago, that I thought were big, have been achieved and I realised I still need BIGGER dreams for the future. I can now borrow a leaf from Obama and even dream BIGGER than I am doing now

Now that you know that there is no dream that is too BIG to achieve, what are you going to do my friend? Will you continue to play small or dream BIG? Will you continue to complain about things you don’t have or circumstances not being in your favour? Do you realise that Obama is an orphan? He lost his father to an automobile accident in the 80s and his mother to cancer in the 90s so what are you complaining about?

Barack Obama has proved to us all that NOTHING is impossible and it is our duty to live with this truth. We have a choice in this matter to continue living without a dream or to pick up a dream and start start pursuing it. Remember, this is just a CHOICE!

Thanks Barack for teaching us this important life lesson. Wishing you well in your drive to take America back to where it belongs!

culled from : http://www.naijamotivation.com/2008/11/06/barack-obama/

Saving the Lives of Malnourished Children

Social Media News Release

You helped us get this far. Now, your vote could mean $1.5 million for malnourished children around the world.

Quicklinks: News Facts | About International Medical Corps | Help International Medical Corps | Contacts | Multimedia Elements | Social Media | Tags

NEWS FACTS We made it into the American Express Members Project - Top 5. “Saving the Lives of Malnourished Children” is now guaranteed a share of $2.5 million in prize money. The project with the most votes receives $1.5 million, 2nd receives $500,000, 3rd $300,000, and 4th and 5th $100,000. The funding – made possible by your votes – would bring a vital lifeline to hungry and malnourished children around the world. But we need your help between now and October 13. Voting is easy and doesn’t cost a thing! In just a click, you can save the lives of thousands of malnourished children. Click here to vote: For severely malnourished children, we offer a step-by-step treatment program that gives them what they need to recover, including nutrient-dense food supplements like the peanut-based product, Plumpy'Nut. Our comprehensive monitoring system saves more than 90 percent of children being treated in our feeding centers. Being one of the Top 5 would mean our nutrition could reach more children around the world who need our help. CLICK HERE TO VOTE! Hunger and malnutrition kill more people in the world than HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria combined. As food prices rise, this funding is even more critical. More people are being driven deeper into poverty trying to afford basic staples. Many have nothing to eat at all. Your vote makes it possible for fewer young lives to be lost because they do not have enough to eat. Getting the word out to your friends and family makes a huge difference! Forward this link to a friend and you bring us that much closer to the $1.5 million to help malnourished children around the world!

About International Medical Corps International Medical Corps (IMC) is a global, humanitarian, nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through health care training and relief and development programs. Established in 1984 by volunteer doctors and nurses, IMC is a private, voluntary, nonpolitical, nonsectarian organization. Its mission is to improve the quality of life through health interventions and related activities that build local capacity in underserved communities worldwide. By offering training and health care to local populations and medical assistance to people at highest risk, and with the flexibility to respond rapidly to emergency situations, IMC rehabilitates devastated health care systems and helps bring them back to self-reliance.

Help International Medical Corps Double your impact. Donate today. Your gift is matched before October 31st. International Medical Corps has received a pledge of $100,000 in matching funds to provide vital health care to millions of children and families suffering in the global food crisis and other emergencies around the world. Every donation made before October 31st will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $100,000. That means that we can double every dollar you provide, multiplying your gift and reaching more children and families who so desperately need our help. Did you know that hunger and malnutrition kill more people than HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined? As food prices soar, billions of people around the world are more vulnerable to malnutrition and severe food insecurity. Malnutrition often puts children at risk for malaria, diarrhea and respiratory infections – creating a vicious cycle. We see the impact of this emergency at our feeding sites and clinics everyday. By making a donation, you provide a lifeline for children and families who desperately need our help. Click here to help Contacts For Press Inquiries Stephanie Bowen Communications Manager International Medical Corps 1919 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 400 Santa Monica, CA 90404 310-826-7800 sbowen@imcworldwide.org Ilori Olalekan