Klarinet Archive - Posting 000306.txt from 2004/04

From: "Buckman, Nancy" <nebuckman@-----.edu>
Subj: RE: [kl] Music exams in U.S.
Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2004 13:21:36 -0400

My six-year-old (first grade) granddaughter is studying the recorder in =
school. When she gets to third grade, she can study a stringed =
instrument. When she reaches fourth grade, she can start a band =
instrument. She reads language well and does math at grade level. She =
has taken tap and ballet for three years, BUT she is having difficulty =
with the recorder. I continue to encourage her because I know it is a =
matter of time before her brain and body mature enough for her to enjoy =
making music. She loves my Eb clarinet and can make some good squawks =
on it. She can pick out nursery tunes on the piano. She is a very =
young six-year-old when most of the kids in her class are seven, or =
almost seven. =20

Children mature at different rates. We need to stop expecting everyone =
to be able to do this and that at a given time in life. People (big and =
small) will do things as long as their self-esteem isn't compromised. =
When judgments are made about those who, for whatever reason, can't =
perform at a given moment, at a given level, it has been our practice to =
make judgments about that performance, based on rules that just may not =
be possible to comply with at that time. It's demoralizing. We don't =
do it to our children at home (for the most part). Why do we do it when =
they are in school? Why not let them master things at their own pace =
and then move to the next level? Kids want to please, until we throw so =
many rocks in their paths that it becomes easier to quit. When will we =
learn? Here here, Lelia!

Nancy

Nancy E. Buckman, CPO, AFO, Technical Assistant
School of Health Professions, Wellness and Physical Education
Anne Arundel Community College
Arnold, MD 21012-1895 USA
Phone 410-777-2316 Fax 410-777-2233
E-mail nebuckman@-----.edu

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