Students can be fearful. Not spooky or Halloween fun, but from “stage fright”, feeling like they are on display, or putting themselves on the line. Real scary can be harder than spooky. We can tell students that ghosts and ghouls aren’t real, but we can’t take away the things that really frighten them. Here’s a few things students can be afraid of, and some tips for fighting fear in the music classroom.
Solo Ventures
Putting yourself out there can be difficult for older students and adults. If you have a younger student who is apprehensive, or a little on the shy side, performing solo can be anywhere from a little scary to extremely paralyzing. If students struggles with wanting to sing solo or perform anything solo in front of their classmates, give them a chance to record privately. Open up your instrument closet, or let students go in the hallway. You can also ask a friend to perform with them.
Trying New Things
Some students want more time to process something before trying something new. People can be apprehensive about new things. One thing I had to do with a group of students is let them know I wouldn’t ask them to do anything I wouldn’t do with them. Knowing that I would put myself out there also was really helpful for that group of kids. Introducing things slowly, an also in pieces can be helpful as well.
Fear of Being Wrong
Make a big deal about mistakes not being a big deal. In other classes, students get a little red mark. In music class, performance errors are on display for all their friends. Sometimes if a student struggles in one classroom, they think it means they will struggle in ALL classrooms. Part of this is really truly letting students know that creativity can’t be WRONG.
The Big One: Judgment
From you, from other students, and from their OWN expectations. This really relies on an environment where students are free to try things without judgement. Shutting down laughing, critical comments, and creating expectations about “performance” that students know are important.
Some things you can do…
- Support them taking their time.
- Offer students a chance to try it for a friend instead of the whole class. Let them sing/perform/etc for a partner.
- Take the pressure off. Remind students about a growth mind set and never call attention to mistakes.
- Show performances that are still good but weren’t perfect. Schools, community ensembles, even college things. Talk about growth.
- Create a SAFE space.
Safe Space
is NOT saying “This is a safe space”. It has nothing to do with words. If a student doesn’t feel safe, they won’t be willing to try new things or put themselves out there. What safe space is:
- Making students feel welcome for who they are.
- Making students feel represented in the music room.
- Shutting down ANY teasing, negative comments, etc. when students try something. Remind students they wouldn’t like it if someone said unkind things to them.
- Teach constructive criticism and the sandwich method for feedback. Positive comment, constructive criticism, positive comment.
- Remind students that EVERYONE practices music. Everyone can grow, everyone can learn. Even the world’s biggest performers take lessons to improve!
- Praise for trying, working, and attempting.
- A really great choral teacher I know that directed a local community choir I sang in always says, “Thank you for your work“. I think this is a GREAT way of acknowledging students’ attempts no matter where it fell in terms of skill.
And this takes TIME. It won’t happen overnight, and it definitely doesn’t show up the first week of school.
Representation
Decor affects students feeling represented. Check out this post about inclusive decor.
Music you listen to in class affects students feeling represented. Are you showcasing a variety of cultures? Do you try to include cultures that are from your students’ backgrounds? Do you include multiple genres?
Fight Back
It will take time for your students to feel comfortable. If you are a new teacher or new to the school, it may take longer. If your students have had you for a few years, new to the school students may take some time but your students will know you stand on business.
Letting yourself try things in front of your students is a good idea too. If you are demonstrating on an instrument, pick an instrument that isn’t your main one. If you are working with a foreign language song, tell your students you spent time to learn it for them first.
One of the most important things you can do is let students know that NO music is perfect, impart the idea that it is about the growth, and the joy of music, and the process is the most important part. It will take time but you CAN do it!
I hope this has given you some ideas about Fighting Fear in the Music Classroom!
