This reflection explores Dr. Suzuki’s claim that it is impossible to recreate an environment that is exactly the same for two people. This episode is part of the “Reflections” series of podcast episodes, which are short, minutes long reflections about a quote or other thought from Dr. Shinichi Suzuki’s philosophy or writing. The purpose of … Continue reading "Reflections — Different Environments, Different Children"

This podcast episode looks at two ideas that may be useful to ease the friction associated with practicing: activation energy and juggling. For many people, finding a way to adjust or minimize the amount of energy it takes to activate or initiate the practice session will help immensely to ease the pain of getting the … Continue reading "075 TSP Reduce Friction and Take Up Juggling | Parents Who Practice"

This reflection asks parents whether they are creating a good environment in which the child will become talented. Parents may create an unpleasant learning environment with too much criticizing, complaining, and correcting. This episode is part of the “Reflections” series of podcast episodes, which are short, minutes long reflections about a quote or other thought from … Continue reading "Reflections — Watch Those Corrections!"

Stephen Covey’s Habit 7, Sharpen the Saw, may be one of the most important habits that Suzuki teachers and parents cultivate. Habit 7 fills our reserves for creativity and energy and helps us be our most effective selves as teachers and parents. I mentioned a few resources in the podcast episode. If you are interested … Continue reading "074 TSP Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw | Renew & Refresh"

This reflection offers several questions that parents can ask themselves to encourage self-reflection about the causes for success or disappointment in home practices. This episode is part of the “Reflections” series of podcast episodes, which are short, minutes long reflections about a quote or other thought from Dr. Shinichi Suzuki’s philosophy or writing. The purpose … Continue reading "Reflections — Self-Reflection Questions About Practice for Parents"

Suzuki teachers and parents need to think  about Stephen Covey’s habit 6, synergize, in order to be effective in relationships with others. This is the sixth habit in the series of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Suzuki Teachers and Parents, based on the 7 Habits as set out by Stephen R. Covey. This episode … Continue reading "073 TSP Habit 6: Synergize"

Dr. Suzuki cautioned parents not to make wrong assumptions about the intelligence of their children. He suggested that parents may confuse differences in their children’s intelligence with differences in the children’s environment. This episode is part of the “Reflections” series of podcast episodes, which are short, minutes long reflections about a quote or other thought … Continue reading "Reflections — Are Parent Assumptions Wrong?"

Suzuki teachers and parents need to think  about Stephen Covey’s habit 5, “win/win,” in order to be effective in relationships with others. This is the fifth habit in the series of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Suzuki Teachers and Parents, based on the 7 Habits as set out by Stephen R. Covey. This episode … Continue reading "072 TSP Habit 5: Think “Win/Win”"

This reflection discusses Dr. Suzuki’s advice about how parents can speak to grandparents and enlist their help to improve the child’s home environment. This episode is part of the “Reflections” series of podcast episodes, which are short, minutes long reflections about a quote or other thought from Dr. Shinichi Suzuki’s philosophy or writing. The purpose … Continue reading "Reflections — Grandparents Can Help"

Stephen Covey’s Habit 4 advises Suzuki teachers and parents to seek first to understand, then be understood in order to be effective when working with children. This type of listening from the heart can be one of the hardest habits to develop because it demands that we actually share the feelings and thoughts of others … Continue reading "071 TSP Habit 4: Seek First to Understand, Then Be Understood | Listen From the Heart"