Reading Resources
Below are the recommended Suzuki reading resources for all parents.
-
Nurtured by Love by Shinichi Suzuki
This book is the cornerstone upon which to build any Suzuki library. In it, the author presents the philosophy and principles of Suzuki's teaching methods. Through the examples from his own life and teaching, Suzuki establishes his case for early childhood education and the high potential of every human being---not just those seemingly gifted. (116 pages)
-
Ability Development from Age Zero by Shinichi Suzuki
Recommended for parents of Suzuki Method students, this sequel to Nurtured by Love features a quote by Dr. Suzuki that states the fate of the child is in the hands of his parents." With this book he shows how to create a warm environment that will encourage any child to become a happy, loving, and talented human being." (108 pages)
-
Helping Parents Practice: Ideas for Making It Easier by Edmund Sprunger
This book is a response to the most common concerns of parents who practice a musical instrument with their children: Why won't my child listen to me when I give the exact same directions the teacher gave? How do I know if my son has the interest and discipline to continue? Should we switch to a different instrument? Does my daughter need a more 'challenging' piece? Should we switch teachers? My daughter is the Bulldozer Queen - why does she act as though she can't wait to be finished - doesn't she enjoy playing? How do I get my son to play slowly and accurately - to a 'standard of excellence' - instead of quickly and sloppily, especially in review pieces? Can you recommend some games to make practice more fun? (272 pages).
-
Beyond the Music Lessons: Habits of Successful Suzuki Families by Christine Goodner
Suzuki teacher and author, Christine Goodner, explores what it takes to make music lessons work in our busy, modern lives in her first book, Beyond the Music Lesson: Habits of Successful Suzuki Families. Using exclusive interviews, current research, and Goodner’s own experience as a student, parent, and teacher, this book gives practical advice, specific ideas, and big-picture concepts sure to help every parent who reads it.Whether you are just beginning music lessons with your child or are an experienced parent looking for extra ideas and support, Beyond the Music Lesson will inspire you with new insight, motivation, and ways to make the process more successful in your own family. (160 pages)
-
Positive Practice: 5 Steps to Help Your Child Develop a Love of Music by Christine Goodner
Learn simple strategies to keep students motivated!Practice can be a struggle for students and parents. This practical guide shares a five-step system to transform much-resisted practice into peaceful and productive sessions. Intentionally engage the emerging musicians in your life and unleash their love for music, without the arguments and strife. Whether you and your child are new to lessons, or have years of experience, the ideas and methods in this powerful guide can be implemented today, for immediate results. (66 pages)
-
Music Practice Makeover: Strategies to Make Practice with Your Music Student as Painless and Efficient as Possible by Christine Goodner
Many young musicians love to play music but struggle with the daily work of learning an instrument. Early childhood music educator, Suzuki violin and viola teacher, and author Christine Goodner has spent over two decades teaching, coaching parents, and motivating young musicians to make music practice work. Now she’s here to share actionable plans to ensure the right approach from day one and make those valuable minutes of practice more enjoyable.
Music Practice Makeover is a hands-on guide to help practice partners of young music students with the process of rehearsing and refining in a way they can engage with and enjoy. With real-life examples, techniques for different developmental stages, and pages of priceless tips, this book is full of ideas all aimed at making practice work. Music Practice Makeover is designed to help you and your music student work together as they develop their skills. If you like practical advice, note-for-note wisdom, and inspirational ideas, then you’ll love Music Practice Makeover! (250 pages)
-
How to Get Your Child to Practice by Cynthia Richards
Ideas and suggestions to overcome the negative image of practicing. Ideal for frustrated parents. (67 pages)
-
Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg
BJ FOGG is here to change your life—and revolutionize how we think about human behavior. Based on twenty years of research and Fogg’s experience coaching more than 40,000 people, Tiny Habits cracks the code of habit formation. With breakthrough discoveries in every chapter, you’ll learn the simplest proven ways to transform your life. Fogg shows you how to feel good about your successes instead of bad about your failures.
This proven, step-by-step guide will help you design habits and make them stick through positive emotion and celebrating small successes. Whether you want to lose weight, de-stress, sleep better, or be more productive each day, Tiny Habits makes it easy to achieve—by starting small. (322 pages)
-
Life Lens - Seeing Your Child in Colour by Michele Horner
In '''Life Lens: Seeing Your Children in Color,'' author and celebrated Suzuki music instructor Michele Monahan Horner breaks down a child's interior landscape into seven different colors. Far from typecasting, the foundation of the Life Lens method focuses on a respectful recognition of each individual's hardwired differences and learning how to meet others where they are most ready to learn. (182 pages)
-
Suzuki Podcasts (by Christine Goodner)
Visit Christine Goodner's Podcast page and gather some information you can put forth in your Suzuki home. All podcasts are completely free to listen to.

