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PERSPECTIVES

The Shift in Parental Mindsets regarding Music Education 

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Over the years, the shift in parental mindsets is apparent, with more parents focusing on the interest of their children than just the ultimate goal of a Grade 8 certificate. A stark contrast to the mindset of parents about two decades ago. However many modern parents themselves have been made or even forced to go through the grueling practice regimen in the past. So perhaps that is the reason?

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Keeping the Tradition

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There are still of course parents or students whose aim is to get a Grade 8 or diploma certificate, as per the classic mindset. As long as it is value adding towards their skillsets and growth of music interest, it is definitely worthwhile.

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Elaborating on 'Practice Insights', Ms Serene has also met other parents who has the traditional mindset of persevering with their child's music education despite their child's lack of self-discipline. As it is not the most motivating experience for any teacher, most teachers would recommend that the student quits learning. But is that the best decision? It would be, if the student explored all genres of piano music and dislikes them all.

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But how about a "lazy" child who is interested in music? Surely it is still worth letting them continue learning music. However most modern parents think otherwise, that it is a waste of time, finances and how their child does not deserve to learn for being "lazy".

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Which brings us back to Ms Serene's interesting encounters with more traditional parents who insists on continuing their child's music(piano) education despite their child's "laziness". A few of whom she honestly contemplated halting, but was glad she did not.

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Various case studies of her students who has low levels of self-discipline but with persevering parents:

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a) A primary school boy who was not made for taking the piano exam. Everyone has since decided against the exams and he is learning for leisure. A year ago he did not manage to get through the first line of a Chinese New Year piece, but managed to play it well and whole this year.

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b) A primary school girl who never practices for most lessons. It took her many years but she has since passed her Grade 3 Piano exam and is now preparing for her Grade 5 Piano exam. She still lacks self-discipline but enjoys learning pieces that she likes.

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c) A most recent case is a pre-primary boy who is particularly impatient and lacks confidence. His grandparents are determined for him to learn the piano for leisure, as their family friends have shared with them how they were thankful to have acquired this skill when they were young. The grandparents are hoping for him to have this skill such that when he gets older, he may be able to appreciate it better like wine and enjoy the fruits of his labor. Ms Serene is looking forward to his progress in time to come.

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These students do have something else in common. Their spark of interest in Piano and Music.

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In recent years Ms Serene realizes the joy of teaching does not come solely from students who do their practice as promised or those who passed with flying colors. There are also those whose progress are very gradual but still evident over the years.

Flowers and Shadows
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