I have been reading throughout this forum for awhile now. But I could really use some help. I am a piano teacher and have a 6 yr. old student with LD. What is the best way for me to familiarize myself with the current thinking for teaching LD students? There are so many programs, concepts, definitions - I’m really struggling to get a handle on it.
My student is very slowly progressing, which pleases her parents enormously. She attends second grade with an aide. We need to work on her fine motor skills. I’ve seen much progress in her attention span - much less fidgeting and jumping up from her seat.
I’m reading a lot and trying suggestions I run across. My problem right now is that I’d like solid lesson planning with short and longterm goals. But I don’t know what to expect. I’m going by experience and trial-and-error at this point. I’d like more focused guidelines.
Any anyone tell me how to start?
Re: New Student
Just curious, this child is 6 years old with LD in second grade? Most 6 year olds are in first grade. Is she developmentally ready for piano lessons at 6? I just started my LD child in piano this fall right before she turned 8, and her hands are barely big enough, although she has advanced fine motor skills. I don’t think she could have read well enough last year to have begun piano.
One other thing, I’m not sure all learning issues carry over to music anyway. Many LD’s are language based and some of these kids do fine with music, or so I’ve been told.
Janis
making it up as you go along
I’d suggest reading Mel Levine’s Educational Care. I think it’s the best out there although somewhat dry.
But I’d also suggest that it seems to me that you’re doing a great job! Every child, ld or not, is an individual and in the best of all possible worlds, they’d all have teachers who’d plan for them day by day and thus tailor what they’re doing to what they see the child needs.
Good teaching, ld or not, has lots of trial and error in it. If the child is making progress, then the proof is in the pudding that you’re doing great work with her. Is this child also enjoying her exposure to piano and to music? Does she look forward to her lessons and leave each one looking forward to the next?
If so, then you should write the program on how to teach piano to ld children!
http://www.resourceroom.net/Sharestrats/IDAmusic.asp