Parents who have “coaches” come to their homes for preschoolers!!

[Anonymous]

Where are you posting from Op?

I'm guessing LA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did everyone lose track of the fact that the original post said this was for preschoolers? Everyone started talking about afterschool lessons aand tutoring nd sure, it doesn't seem that odd to have a violin teacher or math tutor come to your house. But a preschooler? What does a preschooler need tutoring in? Or a private lesson? Like a preschooler needs private gymnastics lessons. Just take the kid to a playground. I thought the most important part of a "class" for a preschooler was the social aspect of it -- learning to be part of a group, following directions in a group setting, being around peers, being used to a new environment. None of which you get in a private lesson.

It depends on the child’s motivation. When a 3yo sits down at a keyboard for 45 minutes (at least) everyday, playing different notes, trying out different intervals and can figure out an arpeggio? You start thinking that maybe you should ask the child if they want someone to come play piano with them and teach them to do more.

When a 4yo sits down and hyper-focuses on legos for over an hour each day, and starts talking about wanting more options, you look into the possibilities, especially if the child starts to draw out an instruction booklet.

For a shy kid who was very motivated and wanted to do gymnastics, I can see it. But if the kid isn’t extremely motivated, nope.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did everyone lose track of the fact that the original post said this was for preschoolers? Everyone started talking about afterschool lessons aand tutoring nd sure, it doesn't seem that odd to have a violin teacher or math tutor come to your house. But a preschooler? What does a preschooler need tutoring in? Or a private lesson? Like a preschooler needs private gymnastics lessons. Just take the kid to a playground. I thought the most important part of a "class" for a preschooler was the social aspect of it -- learning to be part of a group, following directions in a group setting, being around peers, being used to a new environment. None of which you get in a private lesson.

It depends on the child’s motivation. When a 3yo sits down at a keyboard for 45 minutes (at least) everyday, playing different notes, trying out different intervals and can figure out an arpeggio? You start thinking that maybe you should ask the child if they want someone to come play piano with them and teach them to do more.

When a 4yo sits down and hyper-focuses on legos for over an hour each day, and starts talking about wanting more options, you look into the possibilities, especially if the child starts to draw out an instruction booklet.

For a shy kid who was very motivated and wanted to do gymnastics, I can see it. But if the kid isn’t extremely motivated, nope.

A good parent just lets them continue what they’re doing. Your first two scenarios happens in some shape or form to most little kids. You shouldn’t mess with that. Preschoolers learn through play. When adults interfere it becomes work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know two families who do this. Aside from having a private taekwondo class (3 kids in the studio) for their preschool kids, they also have private gymnastics coaches and music teachers come to their homes. These kids are between 3 and 4.

Please agree that this is insane!

Fantastic idea. Removes the headache of travelling for a class, gives kids one on one attention, if they take class with their friends they enjoy it more. As long as they have other non-scheduled activities, this is wonderful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did everyone lose track of the fact that the original post said this was for preschoolers? Everyone started talking about afterschool lessons aand tutoring nd sure, it doesn't seem that odd to have a violin teacher or math tutor come to your house. But a preschooler? What does a preschooler need tutoring in? Or a private lesson? Like a preschooler needs private gymnastics lessons. Just take the kid to a playground. I thought the most important part of a "class" for a preschooler was the social aspect of it -- learning to be part of a group, following directions in a group setting, being around peers, being used to a new environment. None of which you get in a private lesson.

No, we noticed.

[Anonymous]

I did not want my kids to go to crowded classes during flu season. Having a teacher come to the house is fantastic.

[Anonymous]

What is the part you are objecting to?

The private lessons?

Or that these coaches are coming to their house?

Everyone at a certain level of affluence does private lessons. And who likes driving? Esp. in DC rush hour traffic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did everyone lose track of the fact that the original post said this was for preschoolers? Everyone started talking about afterschool lessons aand tutoring nd sure, it doesn't seem that odd to have a violin teacher or math tutor come to your house. But a preschooler? What does a preschooler need tutoring in? Or a private lesson? Like a preschooler needs private gymnastics lessons. Just take the kid to a playground. I thought the most important part of a "class" for a preschooler was the social aspect of it -- learning to be part of a group, following directions in a group setting, being around peers, being used to a new environment. None of which you get in a private lesson.

It depends on the child’s motivation. When a 3yo sits down at a keyboard for 45 minutes (at least) everyday, playing different notes, trying out different intervals and can figure out an arpeggio? You start thinking that maybe you should ask the child if they want someone to come play piano with them and teach them to do more.

When a 4yo sits down and hyper-focuses on legos for over an hour each day, and starts talking about wanting more options, you look into the possibilities, especially if the child starts to draw out an instruction booklet.

For a shy kid who was very motivated and wanted to do gymnastics, I can see it. But if the kid isn’t extremely motivated, nope.

A good parent just lets them continue what they’re doing. Your first two scenarios happens in some shape or form to most little kids. You shouldn’t mess with that. Preschoolers learn through play. When adults interfere it becomes work.

No one learns to play a musical instrument properly through play.

[Anonymous]

Sounds great. "Smoke 'em if you got 'em" I always say when it comes to money.
Heck, my car has power windows, which is completely unnecessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did not want my kids to go to crowded classes during flu season. Having a teacher come to the house is fantastic.

Get a vaccine. Let your kid play.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did everyone lose track of the fact that the original post said this was for preschoolers? Everyone started talking about afterschool lessons aand tutoring nd sure, it doesn't seem that odd to have a violin teacher or math tutor come to your house. But a preschooler? What does a preschooler need tutoring in? Or a private lesson? Like a preschooler needs private gymnastics lessons. Just take the kid to a playground. I thought the most important part of a "class" for a preschooler was the social aspect of it -- learning to be part of a group, following directions in a group setting, being around peers, being used to a new environment. None of which you get in a private lesson.

It depends on the child’s motivation. When a 3yo sits down at a keyboard for 45 minutes (at least) everyday, playing different notes, trying out different intervals and can figure out an arpeggio? You start thinking that maybe you should ask the child if they want someone to come play piano with them and teach them to do more.

When a 4yo sits down and hyper-focuses on legos for over an hour each day, and starts talking about wanting more options, you look into the possibilities, especially if the child starts to draw out an instruction booklet.

For a shy kid who was very motivated and wanted to do gymnastics, I can see it. But if the kid isn’t extremely motivated, nope.

A good parent just lets them continue what they’re doing. Your first two scenarios happens in some shape or form to most little kids. You shouldn’t mess with that. Preschoolers learn through play. When adults interfere it becomes work.

No one learns to play a musical instrument properly through play.

Actually, they do. That's how people have learned to play instruments throughout most of our history. It's only been the last few decades that we have structured music classes, and I think they've done more harm than good. I know many people who stopped pursuing music, dance, gymnastics, etc because classes aren't fun anymore; had they been encouraged to play with music and movement, they probably would have stuck with it. I've found with my own kids that "we need to spend the next hour on gymnastics doing XYZ" isn't as effective as "let's go play in the backyard and see what cool tricks we can do!". I know many instructors who have also found similar approaches more effective.

Also, the best art usually comes from people who are good at playing with their craft, not doing drills over and over.

-musician/dancer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Actually, they do. That's how people have learned to play instruments throughout most of our history. It's only been the last few decades that we have structured music classes, and I think they've done more harm than good. I know many people who stopped pursuing music, dance, gymnastics, etc because classes aren't fun anymore; had they been encouraged to play with music and movement, they probably would have stuck with it. I've found with my own kids that "we need to spend the next hour on gymnastics doing XYZ" isn't as effective as "let's go play in the backyard and see what cool tricks we can do!". I know many instructors who have also found similar approaches more effective.

Also, the best art usually comes from people who are good at playing with their craft, not doing drills over and over.

-musician/dancer

LOL you can learn to read sheets through play? You can learn the correct fingering through play? You can pick your own pieces through play? You learn musical theory through play? Don't be ridiculous.

Anything is fun when the skill is there.

The best art comes from people who became good enough to play with their craft through thousands of hours of drills. No one is interested in watching your child "play" on the ice, for instance. But an improvised routine from a trained figure skater is wonderful to watch. That's the best art - when the artist has enough mastery of the craft to be free. Freedom without skill is worthless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did not want my kids to go to crowded classes during flu season. Having a teacher come to the house is fantastic.

Get a vaccine. Let your kid play.

+1. My kid is very extroverted and thrives going to new places and meeting new people. She would much prefer being out and about vs. at home. For an introverted kid who has a particular interest? An in-home lesson makes sense as long as the kid is getting other chances to socialize and interact with other kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did not want my kids to go to crowded classes during flu season. Having a teacher come to the house is fantastic.

Get a vaccine. Let your kid play.

+1. My kid is very extroverted and thrives going to new places and meeting new people. She would much prefer being out and about vs. at home. For an introverted kid who has a particular interest? An in-home lesson makes sense as long as the kid is getting other chances to socialize and interact with other kids.

These kids are all in regular preschools, the classes are on top of that. I'm sure their socialization needs are fully covered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Actually, they do. That's how people have learned to play instruments throughout most of our history. It's only been the last few decades that we have structured music classes, and I think they've done more harm than good. I know many people who stopped pursuing music, dance, gymnastics, etc because classes aren't fun anymore; had they been encouraged to play with music and movement, they probably would have stuck with it. I've found with my own kids that "we need to spend the next hour on gymnastics doing XYZ" isn't as effective as "let's go play in the backyard and see what cool tricks we can do!". I know many instructors who have also found similar approaches more effective.

Also, the best art usually comes from people who are good at playing with their craft, not doing drills over and over.

-musician/dancer

LOL you can learn to read sheets through play? You can learn the correct fingering through play? You can pick your own pieces through play? You learn musical theory through play? Don't be ridiculous.

Anything is fun when the skill is there.

The best art comes from people who became good enough to play with their craft through thousands of hours of drills. No one is interested in watching your child "play" on the ice, for instance. But an improvised routine from a trained figure skater is wonderful to watch. That's the best art - when the artist has enough mastery of the craft to be free. Freedom without skill is worthless.

Yup. When my 3yo cries during Suzuki piano, her private teacher always tells her, “IT WILL BE FUN WHEN THE SKILL IS THERE!”