Aug 06 2009
I Started to Hate Our Saturday Music Classes
My kids still love their classes. But I have started to hate them (the classes, not my kids).
I wonder, why these other parents cannot follow teacher’s instructions. Simple instructions like, “Hands away from the keyboard, don’t play first, wait for my instruction…”
The moment that the teacher asks us to switch on the electone, it is supposed to be the most exciting moment for the kids, coz they can play an instrument. But, the lack of cooperations, this moment became the most terrible moment. The room became very noisy. Imagine, there are 9 students with 9 electones, and everyone is making their own noise on the 9 electones.
I have a tough boy to handle too. Ian is very active and always refused to follow instruction. But the class asks for mothers’ presence for this –> to control our kids! It is very simple, just hold your kids’ hands, and the noise will stop! I don’t claim 100% noiseless, but 99% of the time Ian follows instructions (with my ‘control’, of course).
Another reason that I got so stressed, is Ian’s dramatic behavior in the class. I’m not sure ‘dramatic’ is the right word or not. He is so playful. He is very loud. He attracts attention all over himself – not through good behavior but extreme behaviors. Err… like: shouting loudly when singing, doing kungfu when he sings ‘do-re-mi, mi-re-do’, standing up and took over teacher’s place when all the students should sit down on the floor, etc.
I felt so embarrassed… at first I could laugh, but too much… I just cannot digest this. I think the teacher feels the same as well.
But… the moment I scolded him and asked him to behave a bit, that’s when he sat sadly and refused to participate, refused to answer all teacher’s questions. Sigh! What should I do??!!!
oh dear, i can feel the tense too. maybe you can talk to him, or should i say give him a “friendly warning” at home before he goes to the music class. if friendly warning doesn’t work, then go for a stern one
then when already in the class, keep reminding him of what you’ve advised him earlier. hopefully this can help to calm him down a bit during the class.
Hi…I’ve just started my dd with the JMC too. i always find it easier to talk to my dd at home or during quiet time what she didn’t do correctly. This seems to work better when both of us are not so “heated”. My dd will have the same issue like Ian if I reprimand her in the public and she will sulk the whole event!
Does Ian behave like that in school? Maybe you can ask his teacher what is the best way to calm him?
I send my son (same age as Ian) to music class for over a year now (not Yahama). He behaved exactly like Ian but thanks to the experianced teacher, he improve dramatically after 6 months. Sometimes it’s good if the parents do not have to be present. The teacher can control better (if she is good). Anyway, just be patient, Ian would definately improve
Pei Wei: Did that warning before the class. I think he is over excited…
Pauline S: Ya, I think you are right about the public reprimand. As parents we should not reprimand in public, coz they lose face, right? Just couldn’t help myself last week, and immediately regretted it. He is like that also in the school, but I think his school teacher loves him, appointed him as the ‘small teacher’ to help out other weaker students, so not a major issue. Maybe this JMC teacher does not have that chemistry with him. You can either hate him or love him, no in between. LOL!
Renn: You know, sending him to music school, I was hoping to make him more ‘gentle’ and ‘calm’. Maybe after a few more lessons he will change.