Socrates and Blind Spots

In the realm of education, the dynamic between teachers and students is a complex interplay of communication, understanding, and growth. Two distinct scenarios shed light on the significance of effective teaching methods: the value of asking questions to enhance comprehension and the role of practical exercises in bridging gaps in learning. By integrating these approaches, educators can create a holistic and impactful learning environment.

**Unveiling the Power of Questions in Teaching**

Conversations with teachers often reveal intriguing insights into the educational process. A recent exchange centered around a teacher's interaction with a student who struggled to grasp a particular concept. What stood out was the teacher's perception of the situation as "weird." On closer examination, the teacher struggled to explain this notion beyond it being self-explanatory.

This scenario emphasizes the importance of asking questions in education. When a student encounters difficulties, dismissing them as strange or inexplicable doesn't foster growth. Instead, the art of questioning becomes a powerful tool. By probing deeper into the situation, teachers can uncover the root causes of misunderstandings. The "weirdness" might actually be an indicator of a student's unique learning style, prior knowledge gaps, or external distractions. Effective communication involves understanding these nuances and tailoring the teaching approach accordingly.

**Bridging Gaps through Practical Exercises in Music Education**

In the realm of music education, a similar principle applies. Teachers often provide feedback on a student's playing quality, expecting a swift reaction. However, when a student doesn't immediately respond or rectify the issue, it's vital for the teacher to recognize the presence of a blind spot in the student's understanding.

Merely repeating the same remarks won't yield the desired results. Instead, educators can employ practical exercises to awaken awareness. Demonstrating the contrast between the student's current performance and the desired outcome through hands-on experiences offers a tangible learning opportunity. This approach shifts the responsibility of improvement from the teacher to the student, empowering the latter to actively engage in their own growth.

The convergence of these two scenarios highlights a holistic approach to education. By combining the art of asking questions and the power of practical exercises, educators can create a comprehensive learning environment that addresses various learning styles, abilities, and challenges.

When a teacher encounters a situation where a student struggles to understand, rather than deeming it unusual, they can delve into the root causes through thoughtful questioning. This understanding informs the application of practical exercises that bridge the gap between the student's current level and the desired outcome.

In essence, the journey of education is a shared effort. It's not merely the transfer of knowledge, but the cultivation of curiosity, understanding, and growth. Teachers who embrace the dual forces of questioning and practical engagement empower their students to become active participants in their learning journey. This approach fosters a culture of collaboration, curiosity, and continuous improvement.

Effective teaching involves more than just conveying information. It requires an awareness of individual differences, a willingness to engage with challenges, and a commitment to fostering growth. By integrating the practices of asking questions to uncover understanding barriers and employing practical exercises to awaken awareness, educators can pave the way for meaningful and transformative learning experiences. Through this integrated approach, students become not only recipients of knowledge but active participants in their own development.

Striking the Right Note: Balancing Person-Centric Teaching and Musical Education

To my fellow music educators:

In the pursuit of nurturing young talents and shaping the musicians of tomorrow, you play a pivotal role that extends far beyond imparting musical knowledge. The delicate balance between teaching people first and music second can sometimes leave you questioning whether you're striking the right chord. This insecurity, stemming from prioritizing musical achievements over personal growth, is more common than you might think. In this heartfelt message, let's explore the importance of embracing this approach and how it ultimately enriches both your students and your journey as educators.

1. A Holistic Approach to Education:

It's perfectly natural to have concerns about focusing too much on the "person" rather than the music. However, understand that the foundation of any great musician lies in their character and values. By nurturing qualities like discipline, empathy, and resilience, you're not only shaping future artists but also well-rounded individuals capable of navigating life's complexities.

2. Cultivating Lifelong Learners:

Music is a vessel through which knowledge and creativity flow, but it's crucial to remember that your role extends beyond the classroom. By teaching people first, you're sowing the seeds of curiosity and lifelong learning. These are qualities that will serve your students well as they continue to explore and adapt to new challenges in both music and life.

3. Overcoming Insecurity with Impactful Outcomes:

The feeling of not "teaching enough music" due to focusing on personal development is understandable. However, the beauty lies in the transformative impact you're creating. When you instill values, self-expression, and emotional growth, you're shaping musicians who can truly connect with their audience on a deeper level, making your efforts resonate in their lives and experiences.

4. Celebrating Diversity and Unity:

In a world where diversity is paramount, your focus on teaching the person first contributes to a harmonious learning environment. By valuing individuality, you're fostering a sense of belonging and inclusivity that transcends musical notes. The unity that stems from embracing differences enhances the collective learning experience.

5. Empowering Through Well-being:

As educators, you're not just imparting knowledge; you're also nurturing well-being. Music has the power to heal and uplift, and by prioritizing the person, you're teaching your students to harness the therapeutic benefits of music, promoting their mental, emotional, and physical health.

In conclusion, remember that your journey as a music educator is an extraordinary one, rich with opportunities to impact lives. Whilst the balance between teaching people first and music second may feel delicate, it's this very balance that enables you to mold individuals who will go on to create beautiful music and make a positive mark on the world. Embrace the insecurities as signs of your commitment to holistic education, and trust that you're shaping more than just musicians – you're shaping futures.

To your musical (and human) success,

Joao Figueiredo

The 10 Things You Should Never Tell Your Kids When They're Struggling with Practice

(read this, even if you don't have kids!)

As parents, our role extends beyond providing food and shelter; we are also instrumental in nurturing our children's self-esteem, motivation, and overall growth. While it's natural to want to support and encourage them through challenges, the words we choose can have a profound impact on their mindset and development. In this blog post, we'll explore two sides of the coin—negative remarks and seemingly positive yet harmful comments—that we should avoid when our kids are struggling with practice. We'll also provide constructive alternatives that pave the way for a healthier and more positive learning environment.

Negative Remarks:

1. Harmful: "You're just not cut out for this."

Helpful: "Every skill takes time to master. Keep practicing, and you'll improve."

2. Harmful: "Why can't you do it like [someone else]?"

Helpful: "You have your unique strengths. Let's work on improving at your own pace."

3. Harmful: "You're not trying hard enough."

Helpful: "I can see you're putting in effort. Let's find strategies to make it easier."

4. Harmful: "You're embarrassing yourself."

Helpful: "Mistakes are part of learning. Let's figure out what went wrong and how to fix it."

5. Harmful: "You'll never get any better."

Helpful: "Progress might be slow, but you're making strides. Keep up the good work."

Seemingly Positive Yet Harmful Comments:

6. Harmful: "You're so talented, you should find this easy!"

Helpful: "Even the most talented individuals face challenges. Your effort will lead to progress."

7. Harmful: "You're the best at this; why are you struggling?"

Helpful: "Struggles are part of everyone's journey. Let's work through this together."

8. Harmful: "You're smarter than this; figure it out."

Helpful: "Problem-solving takes time. Let's break it down step by step."

9. Harmful: "You're a perfectionist; this should be perfect."

Helpful: "Perfection isn't the goal. Let's focus on progress and learning."

10. Harmful: "You have to excel at everything; keep pushing."

Helpful: "It's okay to struggle. Let's embrace challenges as opportunities."

When our children are facing challenges, our words can either be a powerful source of encouragement or a deterrent to their growth. Instead of using negative language that demotivates and discourages, or seemingly positive phrases that create unrealistic expectations, let's choose constructive language that emphasizes the importance of effort, progress, and learning from mistakes. By fostering a positive attitude towards challenges, we empower our kids to approach difficulties with resilience and a growth-oriented mindset, setting them on a path towards lifelong learning and personal development.

PS: You don't have kids, you say? No problem. Use the information above and apply it to yourself when you're practicing! Be supportive, not harmful. Remember, that voice in your head saying mean things to you only needs some love. ;)