Outside the traditional education system, opportunities for a child to develop other valuable life traits are hard to find. How does one look for ways to instill other life-long skills and attributes in their child’s life to help them succeed in life. It has been my personal experience and life-long observation that the traits and skills that students learn do in fact help create a more rounded and stronger individual. These music students are able to handle life’s challenges by being resilient and by continuously surrounding their environment with beautiful music that they are able to create and take part in. I have identified a few educational and self-development principles that a child develops over years of studying the violin in private lessons, and which of course belong to all music students. 1) Achievement through early learning and persistence. 2) Importance of individual time-table. 3) Manageable, one-step at a time approach to learning. 4) Memory constantly improves. 5) Belief in one’s abilities carries over to other tasks. 6) Self-confidence develops. 7) Parental involvement creates special and long-lasting relationships. 8) A happy atmosphere in a creative environment promotes a receptive mind. 9) Value of persistence. 10) Value of repetition to achieve a specific outcome. 11) Value of producing quality performances at every recital. 12) The importance of developing aural learning skills. 13) Success is determined by time and the amount of effort put in on a consistent basis. 14) Skills in self-assessment. 15) An appreciation and constant desire for beautiful and inspired music to help uplift throughout their entire life.
