This week’s episode of the Time to Practice podcast is the second in a two-part…
10 Questions to Get Discussion Started at Your Parent Meeting
One of the best things I’ve started doing in my studio is connecting with parents to help them feel empowered to help their children be successful through the process of learning to play a musical instrument.
Holding a regular parent meeting to share information about the studio and give parents time to connect is a great way to do this.
Research shows that the parent’s commitment to the process of learning music has a huge impact on their child’s long-term success (see Daniel Coyle’s book The Talent Code) & I would argue that the teacher’s commitment to supporting parents is equally important.
One of my favorite things to do to support parents is to get them together to talk, share ideas and experiences and to feel less alone in their journey supporting their child(ren).
I can’t recommend this enough!
If you feel unsure how to get started or worry what you will ask them that won’t result in silence or blank stares I am sharing 10 questions below that have really helped me get conversation started.
Two quick pro-tips before you start:
First, if you have more than 5 people attending, have them break into small groups of 2-4 to talk first and then report back to the group.
Second, ask an experienced parent or two to speak up first to get things going. Just ask them before things get started if they’d be willing to share when you ask the question. This will help people feel more comfortable.
With that in mind, here are 10 questions to get discussion started at your Parent Meeting!
1. What is one thing working well for you right now in practice?
2. What is the hardest part about practice right now?
3. What do you wish you knew when you first started?
4. What do you hope your child gains from studying music?
If you’re talking about a reading:
5. Which part of this chapter stuck out or impacted you the most?
6. Was there anything you didn’t agree with? or confused you?
7. If you could wave a magic wand and make one thing easier/different about your child’s practice what would it be?
8. What is one thing you want to take away (from the reading or the discussion) to work on at home?
9. What motivates your child?
10. What goals do you have for your child over the next year? Do they have any goals of their own related to music?
I hope these questions give you a starting off point to get the conversation going. Parents sharing what they have learned with each other is a powerful thing. I can’t wait to hear how your parent meeting goes!