Halloween Safety (10/27/23)
In our Suzuki Preschool this week, our topic has been Halloween Safety. Included in this topic on being safe, has been observing traffic signals and posted signs that tell us how to be safe on the road. Without stop signs, cars might collide. Parking signs limit a car to two hours in one spot. Handicap parking spaces are reserved for those with physical disabilities to have a safe place and accommodation for being able to get in and out of a car. Pedestrian crosswalks allow people to walk across the road more safely. We follow certain rules in order to be safe.
We can take the topic of "rules" a step farther by saying that when we understand rules, we can play games together! The concept of rules is a moment of enlightenment to the four year old. Our preschoolers played "Red light, Green light" this week. What fun it is to play new games, but we must all learn the rules of playing the game. Children can learn chess and checkers when they learn the rules of how to make their "moves." Some of the most fun for older children and young adults is making up your own game and creating your own rules. For those that are familiar with the dramatic play surrounding an in-house "dungeons and dragons" game, creating rules on what super powers your character has and what constitutes earning points is part of the fun. Simply taking turns is part of the "rule" when learning to play new games.
Children also learn basic rules in one's household. My family's rule was that we took off our shoes inside the house. That is so ingrained in me, that I feel uncomfortable wearing shoes inside a house. Other rules might be "finish your homework before you can play a computer game" or "brush your teeth before you go to sleep." In the Suzuki world, Dr. Suzuki would say "only practice on the days that you eat." He was encouraging everyone to make music a part of everyone's daily life and environment. That is what we seek to do as Suzuki educators. We want to make listening to music a part of our daily environment and practicing a part of our daily routine. Perhaps a household rule could be "play your review pieces when you come home from school and play your practice spots right after dinner."
As parents, it is important that we provide rules for our children so that they feel safe. Providing these clear expectations gives children unconsciously or consciously trust in adults and comfort. (As adults, don't you sometimes wish that someone else would make the decisions for you?) As adults it is important to help guide the student and our own lives to place value in the important things. School work, careers, exercise, proper nutrition, sleep are all essential. But isn't beauty and spiritual healing necessary, too? Isn't building bonds of friendship with meaningful people important, too? We must build these important elements into our lives and make it a rule to prioritize. These decisions are important ones and teaching our children that certain rules are decided based upon values and prioritizing is part of their learning.
This weekend we are hosting "Spooky Suzuki" with Halloween decorations, spooky and fun music, Suzuki repertoire, costumes, and of course, Halloween goody bags. Why is this important? Daily practice is hard. Learning new repertoire quickly comes from playing by ear. Making music and having fun with other Suzuki students builds a peer group that can help motivate regular practicing and a sense of accomplishment by participating in an event like this. Going beyond just celebrating Halloween, connecting together through the music is a way for children to interact that is fun and a celebration of the work they have done in music class, violin lessons, and at home. It takes effort to do these extra pieces, but children can recognize their growing ability when learning non-Suzuki repertoire from time to time. Spooky Suzuki is a mixed level event where the youngest children can hear advanced students playing difficult repertoire which can inspire them. The pieces have multiple parts which allows students to hear harmony and melody differently. This is one of our largest gatherings of students in one performance--something we have missed because of the pandemic--and that can be very powerful and inspiring as well. The excitement of preparing for this concert, dressing in costume to enhance the theatrical portion of the program, and building our school community make this an important learning experience.
I hope you all enjoy a safe and fun Halloween. As a reminder, next Tuesday is a lesson only day in the music school. Feel free to wear a costume to school and stop by the office for a treat! As in rules of safety, we can abide by the rules that make our lives more positive.
Sachiko Isihara
Executive Director
Suzuki School of Newton