Being An Involved Parent
Being an involved parent is so important for babies. I also knew that being an involved parent was important for my two children.
I thought I had found a good Early Childhood Education (ECE) music program for them. But do you know what I found out when we attended those classes?
How to “Un-involve” a Parent
Firstly, I had wanted to sign up both my 3-1/2 year old and my 2 year old. However, the 2 year old wasn’t old enough for the class.
Secondly, the curriculum was always changing. Therefore, we never really had the chance to learn any of the songs or activities very well.
These two things alone did nothing to encourage us. Consequently, we did not develop the relationships with the music and each other that we could have.
But, the third and worst part (imho) was this: the teacher did ALL the modeling of the activities. She handed my 3-1/2 year old a rhythm instrument and expected her to just do it.
She sort of did the activity. I ached to help her, but that invitation never came. Obviously, being an involved parent with my children or babies wasn’t important to this program!
“Parental Involvement Is Critical”
Suzuki ECE Concept
How I Became a More Involved Parent
So, as a Suzuki Method violin teacher, I knew there had to be a better program out there. There had to be a program that believed it was important for parents to be involved with their babies.
I just had not yet discovered the Suzuki Early Childhood Education Baby Class. When I did learn about it, I was attending a Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) Teacher Conference.
I was excited to learn about the SECE Baby Class. It is designed for children 0-3 years old. So there! I just knew it was possible to teach a 2 year old!
Therefore, I began my SECE Teacher Training. Indeed, I found out it was possible for parents to hold their child in their lap and model the song or activity for them.
Also, I was excited to know that I had three years to help parents and their babies really master the songs and activities. There would be strong, loving relationships growing.
Over time, the children could progress from sitting in their parent’s lap to doing the activity themselves. This is possible because the curriculum remains the same for 3 years, but is tailored to the needs of each child.
Suzuki Understood That Parental Involvement Is Critical
I continued on in my training. During that time, I learned that Shinichi Suzuki had written a book called Ability Development From Age Zero. In his book, Suzuki wrote that he had two main concerns.
The first was nurturing a fine character. The second was developing ability in any area of learning, not just music. These were his greatest desires for all the children of the world, including babies.
“All children have the potential at birth to become persons of high ability.”
Shinichi Suzuki
Suzuki already knew that it was important for a parent to be involved in their young children and baby’s education. He had different expectations of parents compared to the traditional method of teaching an instrument.
He wanted them to take notes during their child’s lesson. Next, parents had an active role in practicing with their children at home. They are the home teacher. The Suzuki ECE Baby Class incorporates similar ideas.
How You Can Become A More Involved Parent
The first thing you need to knows is that your baby’s school readiness begins before your baby is even born. From birth through 3 years old, a baby’s brain develops the most rapidly. In fact, it will never develop this quickly ever again.
That is a sobering thought. It is critical to make sure that your baby can explore and learn in a safe, loving environment.
“If love is deep, much can be accomplished.”
Shinichi Suzuki
In exploring and learning, your baby develops curiosity, persistence, empathy, cooperation, and problem-solving. These parents know that being an involved parent is so important to babies.
However, if babies experience an unloving and/or unsafe environment, they will not thrive. Those babies will spend all their energy trying to stay out of danger.
“Do not hurt anybody’s heart.”
Shinichi Suzuki
They grow up insecure and do not learn how to form good relationships. These children will even expect that relationships are not safe or enjoyable.
Many parents do not understand that babies experience a wide range of emotions in their first year. Babies as young as three months understand fear or sadness.
Parents’s anger and stress affect very young infants as well. There is a very important lesson here. How you interact with your baby from the day of their birth affects them and how they will grow.
You Can Learn to be a Good Parent
Let’s be real. It is hard being a parent. The good news is that there is support out there. Parents need to first support each other. Then, find community support.
I found out about Suzuki ECE Baby Class too late for my children. But you have the opportunity to find a SECE Baby Class.
The teachers and other parents and babies can be part of your support system. You are not alone in learning to be an involved parent.
Final Thoughts On Being An Involved Parent
We all know that being an involved parent is important to babies. However, parents must be involved in their babies’ life experiences much sooner than they might think.
Even before their birth, your baby is depending on you to love them unconditionally. From birth, they need you to give them all the experiences possible to help them their brains develop and grow.
Be wise in choosing any program for your baby. Look for how you as a parent are allowed to be involved in the program. Look elsewhere if you are not actively involved.
Being an involved parent is important not just for your baby, but for you as well.
On the “Beautiful Heart Musical Journey” with you,
Susan
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