Celebrate Dr. Suzuki’s 122nd Birthday!
October 17, 2020 was Dr. Shinichi Suzuki’s 122nd birthday! We celebrate Dr. Suzuki because he had a deep love for children. Also, he believed that they all could learn and develop high ability. So, let’s find out how Dr. Suzuki’s 122nd birthday celebrates you special baby.
Celebrate “Character first, ability second”
Dr. Shinichi Suzuki pioneered the Mother-Tongue Method of Education. So, he believed that very young children and even babies can learn anything by example and repetition.
However, parents and teachers must be much more involved than in traditional education.
“Character first, Ability second”
Shinichi Suzuki
Dr. Suzuki first began using this method teaching violin. He wanted to develop high ability in the children. But, even more so, he wanted to develop noble character in them.
He said, “Character first, ability second”. This would surely be Suzuki’s wish for you and your special baby to celebrate on his birthday.
Celebrating East Meets West
Shinichi Suzuki was a Japanese educator and philosopher. In the 1930’s, he introduced using the Mother-Tongue Method to teach violin to very young children.
In the 1960’s, American teacher began visiting Japan to learn his method. Then they returned and used the Suzuki Method to teach their own students.
The Suzuki Method has grown to include more than 8000 teachers all over the world. Nearly 6000 of them teach in the United States alone.
Now, more than 250,000 children study an instrument or participate in a Suzuki Early Childhood Education (SECE) Baby Class.
“Talent is no accident of birth”.
Shinichi Suzuki
Suzuki did not think that people were either born with talent or they were not. He believed it could be developed.
“Talent is not inborn, it has to be created.”
Shinichi Suzuki
Dr. Suzuki taught parents to encourage their children. He also wanted them to be involved in their child’s growth and education. Therefore, they are the ones who must create a nurturing environment for their child.
A Teacher Celebrates Suzuki’s 122nd Birthday Gifts
Dr. Suzuki’s philosophy has had a profound affect on my ideas about music, teaching, and playing violin. He generously gave me the gift of seeing the world through a child’s eyes.
Also, he taught me how important it was to teach with love in my heart for my students. Therefore, I celebrate how Dr. Suzuki has influence my life as a teacher and a person for nearly forty years.
“When love is deep, much can be accomplished”.
Shinichi Suzuki
The first time I saw a five year old’s lesson, I knew that this was how I wanted to teach and learn. So, I took Suzuki Violin teacher training.
I also attended several Suzuki Teacher Conferences. I had the good fortune to watch Dr. Suzuki teach. He was amazing!
Suzuki was child-like when he was with a student. But, he was not childish. I think we sometimes confuse the two ideas. However, he was laser focused on the one point in the lesson that mattered most.
Later, I had the exact same experience when I first saw an SECE Baby Class for the first time. I really KNEW that was what I wanted to do!
I believe that SECE is the essence of the Suzuki Method. It takes all of Suzuki’s teaching ideas and simplifies early learning.
Teachers break down the Baby Class activities into as many steps necessary. Then, they want to make sure that parents and their babies are successful and encouraged. I always want to be that kind of teacher!
Celebrating “Remember the Babies”
I am so thankful the Dr. Suzuki encouraged SECE Teacher Trainer, Dorothy Jones, to “remember the babies”. She began the first SECE Teacher Training program in London ON, Canada. There are now many SECE teachers, but more are needed.
There are many SECE Baby Class programs around the world. Here you can see if there is a program in your area. Chances are very good that the classes are held on Zoom.
It’s not ideal, but it still allows parents and their babies to have some type of Baby Class experience. You can still learn many skills and ideas.
Then you can start to create a more nurturing environment for your whole family. Make music an important part of your life.
“Teaching music is not my main purpose. I want to make good citizens. If children hear fine music from the day of their birth and learn to play it, they will develop sensitivity, discipline, and endurance. They get a beautiful heart”‘
Shinichi Suzuki
SECE Baby Class is not just about learning music. Rather, it is about your baby growing into a fine human being. Also, your baby will develop important life skills.
Parents and teachers must nurture beautiful hearts in their children and in themselves. Music is the vehicle used to teach all these things.
So, Dr. Suzuki’s 122nd birthday celebrates your special baby. His greatest desire was to see all the children of the world grow well.
Firstly, Suzuki wanted them to be loved and nurtured by their parents. Then, he was certain they could develop beautiful hearts and high ability. He believed that “perhaps it will be music that will save the world”.
On the “Beautiful Heart Musical Journey” with you,
Susan
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