 Have you ever gotten an idea and launched right into it, without stopping to think it through? This happened to me just a couple weeks ago. Because my son will be a senior in high school this fall, one of my goals is to lighten my teaching schedule. I really want enjoy this last year with him before he heads off to college! It occurred to me that hosting group lessons once a month in lieu of private lessons would be the perfect low-stress solution. Idea planted. Done! But then I talked with my Upbeat partner, Sara Campbell. The first thing out of her mouth was "Will planning that every month actually be more stressful for you?" Hmmmm...I hadn't considered that. I was only thinking about "teaching" time. And then I realized....I hadn't really looked at this from every angle. What I really needed was to STOP everything and do some serious thinking. Here's the point: When we take time to really think over new ventures BEFORE we dive in, we increase the odds of success. Are you considering a new venture that involves preschoolers? I hope these questions will help you figure out if it's the right move for you! 1. DO YOU LIKE WORKING WITH YOUNG CHILDREN?It sounds like an obvious question, but the truth is most people have age preferences. For example: teenagers. Some people LOVE teaching teens - and other teachers will avoid them at all costs! Take the time to think about what ages YOU like to teach. Yes, adding preschoolers might be great for your bottom line, but if you don't like this age group, you'll never find the success you're looking for. 2. HOW WILL THIS OFFERING BRING VALUE TO YOUR STUDIO?Adding preschoolers will help YOU in several ways:
But this option would also benefit your students. Take the time to think about this option from the perspective of your families. How will it help them? What will they gain from preschool lessons? One thing's for sure - you'll be helping youngsters develop a love of music early in life. That's invaluable!  3. DO YOU HAVE TIME TO INVEST IN A NEW VENTURE?Starting any new venture is exciting! But there's always a learning curve. Do you have time to research everything? You'll need to think about:
If reading that list got you excited, then teaching preschoolers is probably a good move for you! 4. HOW WILL YOU ADD THIS OPTION TO YOUR STUDIO?I'll be honest - when I started teaching preschoolers, I didn't give this question enough consideration. I simply launched into what I was already doing - private lessons. But there are several options to mull over: private, group, or partner lessons. Each choice has pros and cons. Write those down. Play around with them in your head. I encourage you to think about what type of lesson YOU would enjoy the most. If YOU'RE happy and having fun, your preschoolers will too! 5. WHAT METHOD WILL YOU USE?The GOOD news - There are LOTS of methods to choose from. The BAD news - There are LOTS of methods to choose from. Seriously though, take the time to do your research and find a method that fits your personality. Ideally, I suggest that you find a couple methods you would feel comfortable teaching. The truth is that all kids are different. You might find that certain students would benefit from a different method. I know that often happens in my studio with older students. Preschoolers are no different. (See this post for more.) ARE YOU SAYING YES TO PRESCHOOLERS?If you decide that preschoolers are right for you, make sure you check out Playing with Preschoolers.
It's on sale for Valentine's Day! Sara and I interviewed 7 teachers who are having great success with this age group. You'll learn:
Do you have any preschool questions? If so, let me know! Comments are closed.
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Hi there! I'm Tracy Selle. A Christian wife, mom, and author of 101 Piano Practice Tips. I'm also a piano teacher and founder of Upbeat Piano Teachers. Categories
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