If there is a behavior issue, we follow a 3 step process. We never want behavior to overshadow learning music, and I never want you to dread a certain lesson, however, if we can work together to figure it out, that’s always best for all in involved. We also want to give the family an opportunity to work through poor behavior before stopping lessons, but also have respect for our expectations. Please notify let me know when behavioral conversations need to be had so I am in the loop too.

Here is our 3 step process:

1.)  Bring the behavior to the parent’s attention through email or a phone call.  Tell them what we strategies we have been using to solve the behavior and tell them what the expected behavior is. Ask them to sit in at the lesson if they are not already. Ask them what other strategies work well for your child. (Let me know if you’d like an email template)

2.)  Use those strategies in lessons for a few weeks. Remind the student during their lesson of expected behavior if they are not behaving in an appropriate way. Update the parents after each lesson. (ex: Joey is still struggling with ____. ex: I could tell that Joey was working on listening today, he did much better. Hopefully next week it’ll be even better.)

3.) After a few weeks, re-evaluate if we can work through this behavior, or if we need to take a break from lessons.

Please note: If a student has poor behavior at their trial lesson, please take a moment to address it with the parent at the end of the lesson (ask them to come into your room if they are in the hallway). Let them know what the poor behavior was (in the most professional way possible) and what we expect in lessons. Let them know that we can try a second trial next week to see if this behavior can be corrected.

Please note: We have an orientation document with guidelines for students. If you feel as if a student would benefit from this after their trial a brief orientation can be done at their second lesson to state expected behavior.

We want to always be crystal clear with communication with the parent and the student surrounding behavior.