Understanding Their Unique Learning Style
Written by: Jay Hoad - Autism Music Australia
As parents, we all want the best for our children. We dream of them mastering an instrument, confidently playing beautiful melodies, and expressing themselves through the universal language of music.
But here’s the kicker: every child is unique, and their path to musical mastery is not one-size-fits-all.
So, to set your child up for success in music education, please first expand your awareness of their unique learning style.
Imagine your child sitting in front of a piano, struggling to grasp the concept of the names of the notes. You might think they’re simply not interested and not ready yet, when actually, maybe they are more of a “visual learner”, an “auditory learner”, a “kinesthetic learner”, and the list goes on.
Presenting musical concepts using colourful systems and other unique ways can often easily turn their confusion into clarity. These and many other concepts are part of the fundamental principles of our programs at Autism Music Australia and the Australian School of Music for Autism and Special Interest Learning.
Key Learning Styles to Consider
Visual learners thrive when information is presented visually. Think colour-coded notes and diagrams that simplify complex musical concepts. Appealing to their visual strengths often helps them grasp musical notes and rhythms more easily.
For auditory learners, music is best understood through sound. They excel when they can hear concepts, making listening exercises essential. Engage them with songs and rhythms, reinforcing their learning through the magic of sound.
Kinesthetic learners need hands-on experiences. They learn best through doing, so encourage movement and play. Get them to physically engage with their instruments, and you’ll see them flourish.
Does your child light up in group settings?
If so, they might be a social learner. Jam sessions and group activities are vital for their growth. Collaboration not only fosters connection but also ignites a passion for music that resonates within a community.
Some children thrive on autonomy and prefer solo practice. For these independent learners, providing resources for self-paced learning is crucial. Give them the tools to explore their musical journey alone, and watch their confidence soar.
BIG “SECRET SAUCE” MOMENT: Often, having the flexibility to learn similar musical concepts on multiple instruments within the same session creates interest and confidence. This is why we offer programs for multiple instruments at Autism Music Australia, as the kids and adults love it! Often, we play 3 to 4 instruments in a single session, smiling from ear to ear and having so much fun along the way.The key here is flexibility—adapt your teaching style to include diverse approaches that cater to their varied needs.
Finally, observational learners learn by watching others. Utilise videos of experienced musicians to help them mimic and understand musical concepts.
Recognising these learning styles allows you to tailor lessons, making them more engaging and effective. Just like a gardener nurtures different plants, understanding your child’s learning style enables you to cultivate their musical growth in a way that flourishes.
“Every child is unique, and understanding their individuality is the key to unlocking their musical potential.”
This isn’t just a nice saying—it’s a guiding principle for anyone involved in music education.
By embracing your child’s unique learning style, you’ll not only help them excel in music but also instil a lifelong love for the art.
So, take the time to observe your child. Dive deep into their learning preferences and watch as they blossom into confident musicians.
With the right approach, the dream of watching your child play beautifully isn’t just a fantasy—it’s an achievable reality.
If you would like to learn more about the way we teach, please see
AUTISMMUSICAUSTRALIA.COM
Talk one-on-one with one of our friendly team members to have your questions answered and find out how we can help create the perfect music-learning journey for your child.
A Unique Colour Coded System
Our revolutionary colour-coded system adds a whole new dimension to music learning and gives kids a powerful advantage as they begin their music learning journey.
Think of our colour-coded system as training wheels on a bike. Without them, many people would never learn to ride.
This colour-coded system provides a whole new visual trigger designed to speed up the development of the fine motor skills necessary to play music easily and correctly on their chosen instrument.
Every Achievement is Celebrated
We believe every achievement is a HUGE SUCCESS to be CELEBRATED!
Although learning music is what it is all about, for us, it comes second to making your child feel like they are able to achieve anything in this life.
It could be the simpler things like hitting their hand on a drum for two beats in a row or being able to confidently find the middle C on a piano.
Or more tricky things, such as playing Fur Elise by Beethoven, the guitar solo of Sweet Child o Mine, or the latest Tailor Swift or Ed Sheeran song, it is all celebrated equally by our teachers.
We consistently focus on building exceptional confidence and having stupid amounts of fun throughout our time together.
Breaking Definitions Whilst Providing Positive Affirmations
Once you join any of our programs, you will no longer hear definitions such as Autistic, ADHD, ADD, Dyslexic, etc.
You will hear phrases such as uniquely gifted, incredibly talented, you are such a quick learner, you did that so quickly, I love how you interpreted that and did it in your way, etc.
All delivered with excitement, positivity, presence and confidence, creating a special, safe, trustable space that is fun and exciting.
Here, anything is possible.
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