Week 3: Response to Mike Colletti's Blog

@ Mike,

Mike Says:
 I believe the more ownership the child has with her practice and performance sessions, the better she feels.

 My Response:
I totally agree, Mike. It seems like the more a child understands how they got there or how they learn for example, the more likely they are to give themselves credit for their successes.

Mike Says:
As part of this approach, I also have sessions where we don’t work on specific pieces to perform.  Sometimes, just sitting and talking about school or life or almost anything is more effective than going over a performance selection for the umpteenth time.  Being able to relax, and lighten up a little, is following Rule Number Six.  In the scheme of things, speech competition is minor to some of the other things my kids deal with every day, and by showing an interest in the rest of their lives, it allows me to then be able to ask for more of them when it really counts, in competition.

I think I have had this approach for most of my career.  It is nice when respected individuals like the Zanders validate what I have been doing.

 My Response:
I love rule 6! I need to have this ingrained in my forehead. I tend to take things and myself much too seriously. I too, think Zanders is really great and appreciate the validation.