Children Learn to Smile From Their Parents

"Children learn to smile from their parents" - Dr. Suzuki

We are the models for our children. As parents, if we say "please" and "thank you" our children will learn this behavior. If we watch movies or the news projected on a big screen, our children will learn that the evening is time to spend looking at big screens. If we ask questions and start conversations, they will learn this too.

The Suzuki community is a learning community. Our learning model is the triangle among teacher, parent and student. At a recent teacher trainer session, it was so aptly voiced that the individual lesson should be for the parent. It is this moment that you can see what specifically your child or you as the student needs to improve. We teachers are all learning, too. We encourage your feedback to tell us what is working at home, and what might not be so successful.

We are reaching out to provide support to parents in their role as the home teacher and nurturer for their child. The Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA), of which the Suzuki School of Newton is a lifelong member and of which many of the teachers are individual members, has provided a series of videos to help you in your journey as practice partner to your child and cheerleader. The SAA is a great resource and you as families could also look at the large number of SAA resources available.

Children learn so much from their parents, not only how to speak their native language but also how to make beautiful music.

Sachiko Isihara
Executive Director