I can't remember if I did hurry her but I do know I noticed the desire to rush her and later in the lesson I know I slowed down so she could enjoy and be in the moment she was in. As I reflected on my morning's teaching afterwards I realised that children inhabit the present moment naturally. They are so often absorbed in the present moment. How often do we, as adults interrupt that?
Many of us are always hurrying children onto the next activity; then we wonder why, at a later date, they always want to be onto the next thing, why they are never satisfied with what they are doing right now. We often find this at a moment when we have spent a large sum of money on an activity, or arranged something that has cost us much effort. They want the next thing because that's what we've taught them to want! In all our rushing to get things done, teach them as much as possible, cram as much as possible into their lives so they don't miss an opportunity, we are teaching them that what they have now or what they are doing now isn't enough. Many of us are always hurrying children onto the next activity; then we wonder why, at a later date, they always want to be onto the next thing.... because that's what we've taught them! So from today I will make a conscious effort to slow down in my teaching. To allow children to be in the moment; to be absorbed in the activity we are doing now. I will take that extra couple of minutes which will be a special time where I too can notice the moment, be in it with the child and enjoy watching their experience unfold. Their learning and their experience and memories of piano will be all the richer for it. Here's poem I wrote about a year ago when I first noticed I am always in a rush for the next thing and began to wonder why. I'm grateful for the reminder from this student to just slow down.
Rush Rush Hurry Hurry Always there; never here. Rush Rush Hurry Hurry Something different, something better. Rush Rush, Hurry Hurry This is never good enough. Rush Rush Hurry Hurry Let's slow down and be, just here.
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Caroline BlountDirector of Surrey Music School. Archives
January 2024
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