Teaching Music To Students With Autism - Mozart’s Monthly Memo-Volume 34
September 7, 2023
Teaching Music To Students With Autism
This Memo includes
Feature Article: Teaching Music to Students With Autism
Student Hall of Fame
Practice Tip
Parents Ask Pam - In the beginning piano program, is it all self-study or does the student ever check in with a teacher?
Feature Article - Teaching Music To Students With Autism
By Pamela Cornell
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder* seem to thrive and do very well in a musical lesson, and I wanted to showcase some examples in this article. However, in my research, I found very little difference between planning a lesson for a neurotypical child versus a child with any other learning challenge. With any student of any age, you plan a lesson that will motivate and excite the student while using their own learning style. Because every individual is different, teachers tend to use several learning styles when planning a lesson to a group.
Learning what motivates a person is also about getting to know them and building rapport. For most people, we are motivated by positive praise and feedback. That is an easy place to start. As you get to know your students, you find other things that they enjoy as well. Incorporating those little motivators into a lesson helps the student to want to learn and then enjoy their learning as they go along.
What is the best way to teach a student a new concept? The challenge is that there are many ways to teach and many ways students learn and understand. It isn’t that one way is the best but rather that it depends on what the topic is and how the individual student learns and is motivated. A strong lesson plan includes several ways of teaching the same concept. For example, for a lesson on finding the white key, D, on the piano keyboard, here is an example of using several learning styles.
Start by saying, “D is the white key in the middle of the two black keys. I like to think of it like D is in the doghouse.” (Verbal for those that learn by hearing. Also, association with something they are already familiar with.)
Then show where it is by placing your finger on D and play the key. (Visual learning as well as pitch association)
Now have the student, or students, place several small objects on all the D’s on the piano keyboard.” (Kinetic for those that learn by touching and movement.)
Acknowledge and name the students that perform the task correctly.(Positive, personal reinforcement - a huge motivator!)
While the students are not looking, move all the objects to a different place and have the students move them back to D. (Repetition for those that learn by doing.)
Move the objects again only now time how quickly the students move the objects back to D, making a game out of the learning.
In a small group, I have taken the above lesson one step further. At the end, I ask the students to give me a thumbs up or down, or maybe sideways about how well they understand where D is on the keyboard. Those with a sideways or down thumb get paired with someone that gave an up thumb to continue the game of finding D on the keyboard. Now, the student that thinks they understand gets to explain to the student that is still struggling, further solidifying their own understanding. The student that didn’t understand now has the concept explained by their peer, perhaps in words that make more sense, but in any case, different words and from a different perspective, and with more personal dialog back and forth, which also meets another learning style.
Our classrooms have children not only from many cultural backgrounds, but also various learning styles and learning challenges. Although our teachers typically do not have specific training in how to adjust lessons to meet various learning challenges of their students, they do understand that every child is unique in how they learn and how they are motivated. As they teach a lesson, they watch how each child responds and they learn which teaching style seems to resonate best with each individual.
A strong lesson will include the following characteristics. Interestingly, although these are recommended as tips for lessons involving children on the spectrum, they are also recommended as tips for any teacher wanting to improve their lessons and teaching skills regardless of any special needs their students may or may not have.
Break larger concepts into simpler, smaller tasks.
Give clear, precise directions.
Have routine as part of the lesson.
Have clear expectations and boundaries.
Keep distractions at a minimum.
Use physical manipulatives or objects.
Use visual aids
What is so great about this, is that as the teacher, especially teaching a weekly, elective subject like piano lessons, I don’t always know if any of my students have any learning challenges or special needs. However, by focusing on who my students are, what seems to motivate and excite them, and then adjusting my planning accordingly, it really doesn’t matter!
Please note - I am aware that like the name suggests, Autism Spectrum Disorder can present itself very differently in every child. While many students can perform very well in a regular music classroom, some require a lot more assistance and individualized attention. I do not mean to make light of this diagnosis or those that specialize in treating children with this condition.
Resources:
https://www.verywellhealth.com/tips-for-teaching-music-to-people-with-autism-260391
https://nafme.org/blog/understanding-and-teaching-students-with-autism-in-music-education-settings/
https://hub.yamaha.com/music-educators/prog-health/dei/teach-students-with-autism/
Student Hall Of Fame
Our students are making great progress! These students have accomplished new goals this last month.
Welcome to our new or returning students - Samuel S, Aldo G, Aura M, Alexandre B, and Maxime B.
Listening - Listened to classical music at least one hour each week for 4 weeks in a row - Leandra O.
5X5 - play the piano for 5 minutes, 5 days in a week, for 5 weeks in a row - Amira S, Aubrey R*, Jason J, Lillian R, Samuel S*, and Isabella N. ( * indicates first time meeting this challenge!)
Completed their piano lesson book - Nathan H.
Moved up to the next musical level - Monisha V. and Anika Y.
Practice Tip
Piano practice doesn’t always have to be about playing the piano. Sometimes it is good to mix it up with other activities. Of course, listening to classical music or examples of a piece you are currently learning is always good! Theory worksheets are helpful as well. There are many online games to help learn to read notes on the staff or other music theory lessons. Reading about a composer is another useful activity instead of playing the piano.
Upcoming MOM Events
Want to see all upcoming events? Check out our calendar. It includes when the next Crescendo Kids class begins, school closure dates, piano parties, and recital dates.
FREE Online Piano Party! Students share their own music as well as participate in musical games, creating music and learning some music history. Each party is a little different with new lessons and a special guest instrument. Come, meet our piano teachers, play some music, and have fun! All ages and musical levels are welcome. Parties are available to non-students, former students as well as current students. Click the link to sign up. Piano Party Sign Up
Sunday, October 1, at 11:00 am for ages 3 - 6 years old
Sunday, October 1, at 12:00 pm for ages 7 - 12 years old
Parent Information Meetings - Have questions about our online piano class program? Want a tour of our practicing app? Click the link to schedule your free meeting with Miss Pam. Parent Info Meeting
Crescendo Kids CLASSES -
North Kirkland Community Center - Tuesdays or Thursdays - visit kirklandparks.net
Fall:
Registration begins August 23, 7:00AM
Tuesdays, September 19 - December 12 (no class October 31)
Thursdays, September 21 - December 14 (no class November 23)
Winter:
Registration begins August 23, 7:00AM
Tuesdays, January 16 - April 2 (no class February 20)
Thursdays, January 18 - April 4, (no class February 15).
Spartan Recreation Center in Shoreline - Mondays - visit shorelinewa.gov/registernow
Fall:
Registration begins August 22 for Shoreline Residents, August 24 for Lake Forest Park Residents, August 25 for all others, 8:00AM
Mondays, September 18 - December 11
30 - Minute Private Online Piano Lessons - Did you know that many of our teachers also teach privately? Now you can continue your child’s musical education, or your own, with Move Over Mozart. Click here for more information. Private Lessons
New Crescendo Kids Online begins Tuesday, September 12. Our piano classes are fun and easy to do! Perfect for beginning students ages 3 1/2 to 12 years old. Students are put into one of 4 classes depending on their age and musical ability.
Crescendo Kids Online Sign Up
Pre-Reading - Ages 3 - 5 years, or students not yet reading,
We use a color-coded method for the students to match their five fingers to five keys on the piano. New songs using only those 5 notes are given each week.
Primary - Ages 5 -7 years or older and brand new to music,
This group is for the very basics of piano playing. Students learn to play simple rhythms, correct hand position, and the names of the white keys on the piano.
Beginning Elementary - Ages 7-12 years or younger and reading notes,
This is for students just starting to read notes on the staff. Students are taught how the staff relates to the piano and how to translate the notes to making music. Also, having the students memorize a few key notes on the staff will help greatly with their ability to read music.
Advanced Elementary - Ages 7 - 12 years with previous piano lessons
This group already reads notes on the staff and can immediately identify many of the notes by name. They will learn more advanced technique and music theory beyond the initial basics of learning to play.
Parents Ask Pam
Have a question for Miss Pam? You can email, text message, or message on Facebook your questions. She will respond immediately to you, and your question might be featured in future newsletters.
Q: In the beginning piano program, is it all self-study or does the student ever check in with a teacher?
A: Crescendo Kids, our beginning piano program, is definitely not self-study. The beginning program includes a weekly mini-lesson with a teacher. This is a live, virtual, private lesson. The student meets with their teacher to learn a new song each week and answer any questions they may have from the video lesson. The student also has access to text their teacher with recordings or regular text if they have any questions or want to let their teacher know how they are doing between lessons.
Your Comments And Questions
We want to hear from you! What questions do you have? What do you like best about this memo? How do you encourage practicing in your home? Please leave your questions and comments below or email Pam directly at misspam@moveovermozart.net