I'd like to suggest that you set up the 100 Days Challenge for your child or yourself. Make a large chart and hang it prominently somewhere. Sit down and decide what the celebration event will be when the 100 days is completed: Perhaps a trip to a special event or movie. One of my students just loves going to Burger King, and another prefers Dairy Queen and ice cream.
In the case of small children, 100 days can seem a bit daunting. One solution is to break the 100 days into smaller, more manageable segments. One family of a five year old boy broke the 100 days into 20-20-30-30 days. The little boy wanted a small fish aquarium as his ultimate "prize" for completing the 100 Days Challenge. At the end of the first 20 day period, the parents gave him the little plastic tank, but it was empty. At the end of the next 20 days, the little boy received the gravel to put inside the still empty aquarium. At the end of the next 30 days, the little boy received some plants and other items to decorate inside his aquarium. And at the end of the last 30 day period, the boy went to the pet store with his parents to pick out the fish that he wanted.
Do you understand the value of what these particular parents did? By dividing the 100 days into smaller segments, the parents did three things:
They helped their child to build up his ability to persevere in waiting for gratification
They helped their son to build and sustain his motivation to practice.
They helped their son to build the habit of practicing.
How can you incorporate the 100 Days Challenge in your own family situation?
Make a big event out of checking off each day as you or your child complete the day's practice assignment. The best way to get your money's worth out of lessons is through regular practice!
October
9 – 14 – Workshop Week –Workshops replace your regular lesson for
that week.There will be an email to
sign up for times.
October
28th – Make-up day for Halloween Mon Oct
31.(No school, provincial conference
day. Makeups will be taken during daytime hours until.Please contact me to schedule a time.)
December
9th – Last regular lesson day.
December
11-14-
Piano Party
January
8th – Lessons resume.
February
12-17th Workshop Week.Workshop replaces regular lesson time. Watch
for Email to sign up.
March
Break March
11-17 No lessons. (Note the change from the calendar as issued in September, there was originally a 2-week break and now there is only 1 week. The week off has been moved to April following Easter.)
April6-9thEaster, no lessons
April
8-13thMini Recital Week.Recital replaces lesson for the week.Watch for Email to sign tup.
April 15-21 No Lessons (This is a change from the original calendar which listed a 2-week break in March. The studio March break is now 1 week.)
May
18th Registration for 2012-13 Due.
May
20-25 Workshop Week.Workshop replaces regular lesson time. Watch for Email to sign up.
I will be offering summer lessons on Sunday evenings and Monday mornings.
If you are interested in summer lessons please let me know.
Summer lessons are flexible and are scheduled at your convenience around your vacation time or summer plans. Summer term is pre-paid in 4 lesson blocks. You can start with one block and purchase more if you want them. Lessons can be scheduled throughout the summer around your vacation time. The summer term begins on June 19 and ends on August 15th. Summer is a great time to focus on music studies without the pressure of the academic year.
Prospective students for the 2011-12 school year are being interviewed during the last 3 weeks of June.
If you know of someone who would like a space in my schedule be sure to let them know soon, as I will be making my decisions and building my Fall schedule in the coming weeks.
