Parents are responsible for the student's home practice and regular attendance. Students are rewarded by being taken to cultural events. When you see what lengths these children go to in order to visit the Children s Palace after a long school day, to practice at home, and not to waste a parent's time and money, it does seem as if culture has a high place in their society. Most plays and concerts are expensive, but there are theaters where students are welcome to stand for hours to enjoy the event at a small price. I don't feel the arts have this reverence in the United States.
Many kids think they are doing parents a favor by taking lessons.
It is up to you, the parent, to instill in youngsters a love of music and the arts and to see that they are exposed to cultural events. It is not an easy task, given the many attractive alternates for spending time. But if you do it, all your lives will be richer for it. Previous Focus on Fun column Caryl Krueger is an Escondido child development specialist and author.