It can let them explore through song the mood swings of different composers and it can let them create, through an exact discipline, a feeling all their own. The simple truth is that none of this will take place unless parents accept the responsibility of supervising their child's learning process. By attending class with your child you can enforce at home what the teacher says in class. By requiring practice, every day, you are creating a habit of discipline that will help your child all of his or her life. By establishing a direct contact with your child's teacher, you are signaling your approval of this teacher to your child.
Nothing means more in the relationship between teacher and pupil than parental support.
Eighteen Years' Experience Having been a music teacher since the end of 1967, I have seen some students succeed and gain much from their experience in music and others give it up during a crisis with parents or teachers or both, and unable to fill the void with constructive activity, begin to associate with a crowd totally different from their old friends. While psychologists may give many reasons for this change in attitude, I firmly believe it is not the child who changes, but the child reacting to changes in their parents. Children who are used to having their parent accompany them to class and band rehearsal will be thrilled to drive alone when they get their new driver's license. But, weeks later, they begin to miss the companionship of their parent and it shows. Teachers miss the parental support and have to rely on their rapport with the student to accomplish the end result.