Reviews for Understanding learning

The average rating for Understanding learning based on 2 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2016-02-28 00:00:00 Lane Kramer I have to admit that I've had an unwarrented bias against the Suzuki method growing up because a lot of my music teachers have been unimpressed when they get transfer students from this method who can't read music. The method, especially at first, relies a lot on the ear. As I have been studying different approaches to teaching music to children, curiosity got the better of me and I have done some research and have been very impressed with what I've found. I think a lot of the reason students fail with this method is because this method relies a LOT on parental involvement, with the mother taking lessons with her child and they learn the instrument together. It also involves creating an environment that encourages musical growth. Just as all Japanese children learn to speak Japanese, this approach teaches much by environment. I have decided that this is something I want to do with my own children, in conjunction with note reading via the Kodaly method, which can also start in the toddler years. The reason I didn't give it a 5 was that the fantastic book which was so inspirational to me ended with a socialistic plug for the government to step in and see to it that all children can receive this kind of education. Granted, he grew up in Japan, but I am disgusted at the idea of the United Nations implementing something like this, making sure parents are giving their children opportunities to reach their full potential, yikes! If parents aren't trying to do that on their own, who is the government to say how they should be doing it? So, the political activist was disappointed with the last chapter, but the rest of the book was highly motivational and truly inspiring, I recommend this book to anyone considering the method for their children.

Review # 2 was written on 2018-06-08 00:00:00 Daniel Horton This is a re-read for me. I'm trying to review my Suzuki library since I've started teaching my daughter. Since this book is translated from Japanese and is more like a collection of short essays on different subjects it reads a little choppy, but it is the first place to go to become familiar with Shinichi Suzuki and his music-teaching method. I disagree with Suzuki in that he believes that natural-born talent doesn't exist, but at the same time I embrace his idea that EVERY child can learn. I also love his philosophy that we aren't teaching children to play a musical instrument, but we are forming their character and molding them into fine human beings by teaching them to play the violin. "I just want to make good citizens. If a child hears good music from the day of his birth, and learns to play it himself, he develops sensitivity, discipline and endurance. He gets a beautiful heart." Dr. Suzuki definitely had a beautiful heart and a love for children. He is definitely near the top of the list of people I would like to meet that have already passed on.