This class is a demonstration class for SECE teacher training at ASSI 2021 and will be taught by Wan Tsai Chen, an SAA teacher trainer and internationally respected early childhood educator.
To register for the SECE class at ASSI 2021 please go to the SECE Registration Form . See fee information for tuition fees.
The Suzuki Association of the Americas website has this to say about SECE:
Suzuki Early Childhood Education (SECE) is the realization of potential through active and reactive participation in the environment, which surrounds a child from birth. SECE is based on the premise that the potential for every child is unlimited. Believing that any country’s most important resource is its children, Suzuki Early Childhood Educators work in partnership with parents to create a stimulating learning environment. When the environment is rich and unpressured, Suzuki teachers observe that a child not only learns a skill but also gains a sense of purpose to life, an understanding of discipline, and an appreciation of beauty.
“Shinichi Suzuki called this ‘Talent Education.’ The word ‘education’ (kyoiku) in Japanese consists of the kanji Kyo (to teach) and iku (to foster). It means to teach and to foster until the material is absorbed so that it becomes inner ability. When there is inner ability as the foundation, the ability to think and organize develops. This enables children to spontaneously stretch towards higher levels. The skill of fostering that inner ability, I think, is the starting point of instruction. Dr. Suzuki explains in detail how to foster ability as well as how to train in a perfect score for everyone.”
— Masayoshi Kataoka, Editor of Talent Education Journal, Spring 1989
The individual learning experience of each student is created in the Suzuki triangle of student, parent and teacher. The parent and teacher create the learning environment in the private lesson and the parent takes that home to create the personal learning environment in the home. In this environment the talent of the student is developed and nurtured.
One of the unique aspects of Suzuki music education is the social interaction within the learning community. ASSI provides a special learning community created in the social triangle of students, parents and teachers. We believe that this larger supportive environment is a crucial part of the developing and nurturing of student talent.
Parents are valued as a key element in the creation of this special environment. ASSI does not provide supervision since parents are expected to be part of the Institute environment.
In order to provide consistency in the environment and continuity between lessons and home practice it is best to have the same parent attend weekly lessons and practice with the student at home. Special events such as the Alberta Summer Suzuki Institute provide opportunities for the other parent, or even an interested grandparent, aunt or uncle to become the Suzuki parent for the week and enjoy participating in creating our special ASSI learning community.
If you are unable to attend all of the days of ASSI 2024 with your child, please speak to your private teacher to see if there is another family in your teacher’s studio you may share parenting with. For example: you may take your child and their child on Monday and Tuesday, and the other family will take your child on Thursday and Friday. If you let ASSI 2024 know of this arrangement by email at albertasuzukiinstitute@gmail.com we will do our best to make it possible in the students’ daily schedules.
]]>For parents, teachers, prospective teachers and others, this course provides an inspiring, in-depth look at the Suzuki approach to teaching and learning.
In addition to exploring the elements of the Suzuki approach and its far reaching goals, it includes an introduction to learning styles, history of the development of Suzuki education, the role of parents, the importance of Suzuki pedagogical training, and an overview of the SAA’s role in supporting teachers and parents. A fast-paced, engaging and inspiring program, ECC! includes video materials and SAA-developed courseware, and provides each participant with useful reference materials (manuals) for later study.
For teachers, ECC! serves as the first course in the Suzuki Association of the Americas’ Teacher Development Program.
For parents, ECC! is recommended background to successful Suzuki study in any Suzuki music program.
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