Here is what I found out about teaching. As you teach, your own playing improves. As you listen and explain and help others to improve, your teaching improves and you improve as well. Quite the perk!
Positive Reinforcement.
To encourage the learning and performing process, create a comfortable feeling with your students so they know that mistakes as you learn are OK.
Explain what they have done well that day in each lesson. You will find that what they did well are things they have overlooked because they are so focused on the notes they missed or that they are having an off-day with their tone.
They are learning that their lesson is a place where they can not only learn new things, but that it is OK to make a mistake. In other words, the lesson is a lab environment in which to experiment with things like air speed and direction or articulation or whatever is your current new technique. Try it. If they squeak, so what. Keep trying until you are satisfied, then have the student put the “feeling” of the performance of that technique into their own words.
New Explanations
As a teacher, if the student does not understand what your are trying to describe, keep changing the words you are using. Play for them, then have them try until they are producing changes which are closer and closer to the desired result. Then have the student describe it. You will learn from their description and will be able to use their words to explain to other students. If you are working with a group of students, many times one student can explain it to their peers in a way you would not have used.
Practicing
Don’t be disappointed if the student has not practiced this week. Everyone has weeks with lots of homework, projects due or family events. Help students realize that they will improve if they keep coming to lessons and they will get “better” a lot faster if they practice.
Be sure that you define practice for them! Practice is repeating with intent, focus and accuracy. Repeat and think. Practice also means defining what you are practicing on this run through of your music, like counting, notation, key signatures, scales, time signatures, how to use a metronome, or new fingerings. The student should know what they are practicing.
Realistic Student Goals
What you need to remember is that younger students can’t think too far ahead, so try not to set goals that are in the future. Even the end of the school year will seem far away to students. Set their goals for next week or at the most to the next time they are to perform. Help them understand how to break their practicing down in to small chunks so that they can lean a piece successfully in that amount of time.
Studio Recitals
Keep in mind that studio recitals are fun and necessary as a goal for the student and an acknowledgement for the parent that their child is improving and learning something special.
Enhance Learning
Help students learn about the flute to keep them interested in their instrument. Keep bringing in flutes, pictures of flutes, websites for theory, music Sudoku or games from free to print sites.
Help them advance their performance of their school music.
Understand that flute lessons may not be the center of their life.
Give a student what you can to develop a love of music and being part of an ensemble like their school band.
Support them by attending their concerts, parades and by volunteering to come to their school to coach the flute section.
Final Thoughts
Finally, be sure that you understand that no matter how hard you work at being a good teacher and flutist, there will always be others whose thoughts on teaching and flute playing will not agree with yours. As a performer, play your best and you will have your own self reward. As a teacher, your students will progress, will be surprised by the things they can do and the music they can play and will keep coming back.