Why are you reading about effective techniques rather than viewing demonstration videos? Because effective teaching techniques have to come from within you, rather than being something that you try to imitate. Understanding why, when, and where effective techniques are essential in the classroom will help you to develop techniques that are compatible with your personality—your natural way of playing with children, your own energy, warmth, and love of all that is children. Guidance about effective techniques will develop greater awareness of classroom dynamics, awaken your own intuition, and stimulate your own creativity. Playfulness with young children has to come from you, and has to be genuinely you.  Understanding of the process of music learning is essential, as is appropriate curriculum materials. The third ingredient is you. Allow this workshop to draw out the wonder in you and what only you can offer young children.

Walking into the classroom equipped with an understanding of the process of music learning and appropriate curriculum materials will take you a very long way. An awareness of effective techniques, with general guidelines for developing techniques that will most serve the process of music teaching and learning, provides for your own creativity to take flight in your work with young children, encouraging you to become real in the classroom, rather than an imitation. A teacher fine hones technique throughout an entire career. With the process of music learning pointing the direction, effective technique assures success in the classroom—a delightful and highly musical experience for all.