One of the most distracting things that can happen during a music lesson is for a waiting student or a little sister or brother to interrupt and ask, “What can I do now?” To eliminate this problem, or at least minimize it I set up a Waiting Activity Area in my piano studio. Here is a mini tour of it:
For those who like to color, Hello Kitty music coloring pages. Kids can look inside the bag for more coloring activities.
Kids who like puzzles and challenges can choose this.
Great practice on staff notation. Color by Note sheets!
For those who love to build things, LEGOS! Of course they must build something related to music!
A game to practice the music alphabet. Kids can stack the cups in order or build chords!
Each of the activities in the center have something for the kids to show me when they have completed it, so they do get it done. I’ve also made my ipad or iphone available with music apps to play in the waiting center.
I’d love to hear what kinds of things you keep in your studio for waiting students and siblings. Make a comment below!
…Oh and come back tomorrow for the post about the music store field trip that I promised!
Kids & Keys 
You’re a lot nicer than I am!
I think it’s a parent’s responsibility and I give the parent dirty looks when a sibling is being a distraction!
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I totally agree that it’s a parent’s responsibility. Do you have parents bring siblings who both take lessons separately?
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That works with the neighborhood kids – but it’s not always in my control. I do stress that the student having the lessons is losing out if there are too many distractions – try to make it sound like it’s their problem, not mine!
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Yes, sometimes parents don’t realize the full impact of distractions on the lesson. That’s why I have stuff ready just in case. I have also found that sometimes siblings who hadn’t shown an interest in lessons become interested after doing the quiet activities that are available. I’ve also found that waiting students benefit from the reinforcement and it helps them to transition from whatever they were doing before the lesson. That way when it is their turn on the bench they are already thinking about music learning.
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Kudos to you!
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You’re awesome, LaDona!
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Love hello kitty! check out my blog at http://www.theglassmall.com I got some hello kitty items on there too!
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