Parental Involvement
Parental Involvement
When our teachers first welcome a new parent and baby to the Sound Beginnings class, they encourage the parent to participate fully in the singing, actions and movement. The youngest babies will be unable to participate physically but will be learning the excitement and joy of participation from the parent and will soon want to participate fully. The parent must also become a good observer of their own and other children in the class. Dr. Suzuki reminded parents “to enjoy the moment.” Each week teachers will encourage the parents to make a brief positive report on something they noticed their child do in class. This report can be as simple as “John willingly played the wood block today with the teacher’s help.” It is important that adults in John’s life celebrate this step-a step toward independence and increased confidence. Careful observation will afford many opportunities to celebrate even the smallest steps in learning. Taken from Suzuki Early Childhood-Prenatal through Early Years: Stage One, used with permission from Dorothy Jones & Jones Partnership.