Most people might look at this picture and see an old piano and bench. That’s what my students saw…until I opened up the bench at the end of their lessons or music therapy sessions to reveal the hidden treasure they now look forward to each week:
That’s right…stickers. The $1.99 variety you find at Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, or even the grocery store. Who knew that kids could be so easy to please?
“Sticker time” has been a part of my lessons and music therapy sessions for several years now, but only this summer did I think to put them in the piano bench (before, they were in a boring old expandable binder).
After the last piece has been played or the goodbye song has been sung, my students have the opportunity to choose a sticker from the bench and place it on that day’s date in their monthly calendar. And let me tell you, they don’t take their selections lightly; sticker time is serious business (well, as serious as anything involving stickers can be) to many of them.
It’s amazing how my students find such joy in something so simple, but I’m definitely not complaining. It’s the little things, you know?
When I worked with kids, I got all my stickers off the clearance page of http://www.currentcatalog.com. Good selection of seasonal stickers, plus they go on clearance pretty often.
Ooh…thanks Stephanie! I will have to check that out!
Growing up, my piano teacher would let me choose a sticker for every assignment that I completed. I can tell you – it’s a very satisfying feeling flipping through my old books and seeing all those stickers!!
What a great use of positive reinforcement!! You are such an awesome teacher!!
You are too sweet, Megan :) My students love going back through their old calendars and admiring their sticker collection — it does make them feel very accomplished!
Stickers are a great reinforcement for hard work! I also like to do holiday-themed stickers so they are a special treat that only come out once a year!
Oh yes, the holiday stickers are the most coveted of all :D