By Christy Hodder, Expert Music Educator www.ScotiaSuzuki.org Remember that bright-eyed young violinist who couldn't wait for practice time (at least most days)? Now they are teens, and suddenly getting them to pick up their instrument some days feels like moving mountains. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. As both a teacher and mentor to other teachers, parents and teen musicians, I've seen this transformation happen - and I've learned how to help young people sta

By Christy Hodder, Expert Music Educator www.ScotiaSuzuki.org The holidays often revolve around wish lists and surprises under the tree, but what if we shifted the focus this season? By using your child’s hard-earned musical skills as a way to give to others, you can nurture not only their talent but also their gratitude and joy in sharing. When children practice their instruments daily, they aren’t just improving their technique—they’re creating something special. Encouragin

Take the TWO minute QUIZ Find out your MUSIC PERSONALITY~ for practicing parents and music teachers

By Christy | Practicing Pro www.ScotiaSuzuki.org You can also Watch LIVE/HERE Take the 2- minute Music personality TYPE quiz HERE for Music Teachers and Practicing Parents. Why is it important to know your practice parenting or music teaching personality type? WHY? Start with a story: I got to go to the Wizarding World for two days with my husband, Mark. Wow, it was so fun! One of my favourite parts of being there was trying out the spells and watching others practice and fig

By Christy | Practicing Pro www.ScotiaSuzuki.org You can also Watch/LIVE HERE The opinionated and headstrong child can be so hard to parent and even harder to manage a daily home music practice with. I like to call these little people TUMBLEWEEDS. Have you seen or held a tumbleweed before? You have to be so careful - they are surprisingly hard and sharp. So, Imagine a tumbleweed rolling across the arid plains, unstoppable and resolute in its journey. Similarly, tumbleweed ch

Build a goal-setting guide that actually works! Step-by-step guidance on creating consistent, effective, and enjoyable daily music practice with awards for each reached goals

Download this free one-sheet word poster for music practice! Help your child stay motivated during the 3 WCC tips!

Start your summer music practice on a high note! Get tips and the Survival Guide to keep your child practicing during vacation. Free printable included.

Help your child overcome performance anxiety! Gentle strategies to build confidence and make recitals a positive experience for young musicians and love performing.

Things to bring you happiness and a full life as an adult and senior. Free printable PDF on playing music lessons and starting to art classes

Build a goal-setting guide that actually works! Step-by-step guidance on creating consistent, effective, and enjoyable start of music practice.

Creating consistent, effective, and enjoyable daily music practicing and teaching routine with stickers awards for each reached goals.

Make music practice time fun with these creative pom poms and feather games and activities! Engaging ideas to motivate your child and transform daily practice into playtime.

By Christy | Practicing Pro www.ScotiaSuzuki.org You can also Watch / Listen to the Live HERE We all know that eating well is healthy. Exercising and getting fresh air in nature is also good for you. Listening to good music and making music is also an incredible thing for our minds and our spirits and even has physical benefits. Nature and fresh air also help your health in so many ways. Let's have some fun today and play the first words that pop into your head when I say

I want to share with you a brand new practicing activity this Summer - paper planes! Children love paper planes and it’s something you can do whether it’s sunny outside or not.

By Christy | Practicing Pro www.ScotiaSuzuki.org You can also Watch / Listen to the Live HERE We’ve all been there. You tell them it’s time to go, it’s time to have supper and turn off the cartoons, or it's time to practice piano and then it happens.... total meltdown. This is completely normal in small children, and some have a more difficult time than others when switching activities. It's a difficult situation when you need to take something away from a child, such as an

By Christy | Practicing Pro www.ScotiaSuzuki.org Read the Blog HERE and get your FREE "Get to Know You" Easter practice activity. You can also Watch / Listen to the Live HERE where I share some family Easter traditions I had with my own children growing up. Who doesn't like to look through a basket of colorful Easter eggs and choose one to open to see what's inside? This is one of my favorite practice activities. It can be done at anytime throughout the year, but I like to s

By Christy | Practicing Pro www.ScotiaSuzuki.org Read the Blog HERE and get your FREE African Safari Practicing (5 of 6) Adventures. You can also Watch / Listen to the Live HERE where I share part 5 of how I happened to find myself suddenly teaching music one day in a remote Kipsigis village in Kenya 6 years ago! This time I am sharing what I taught the children in the village. It's time to release level FIVE of the "African Safari Practicing Adventure", and with it - some m

By Christy | Practicing Pro www.ScotiaSuzuki.org Read the Blog HERE and get your FREE African Safari Practicing Adventure (4 of 6). It's time to release level FOUR of the "African Safari Practicing Adventure". To get the awards and activities for all of the previous levels, and not miss the last two, you can join here and I'll email them all to you. JOIN HERE If you have finished level THREE and are ready for your award and to proceed on to the next adventure - level FOUR: Hu

By Christy | Practicing Pro www.ScotiaSuzuki.org You can watch / listen to the Live HERE about today's topic. Read the Blog HERE and get access to the FREE African Safari Practicing (1 of 6) Adventures. I also share stories about teaching music in Kenya in each of the lives. For today: It’s a natural feeling to want to be a perfect parent. You love your children so much and you want to give them the very best in their life, including, perhaps most importantly, the best vers