"it Isn't Necessary To Touch Children In Order To Demonstrate Options

[Henry Fagg]

Keeping Children Safe in Music is a joint initiative between the MU, the NSPCC, Youth Music, and the ABRSM.

The MU now has 5 videos up on their Youtube site to help music teachers to 'gain a better understanding of their child protection responsibilities and avoid situations that could lead to accusations of misconduct'.

Of course the aims are laudable, but I'm not convinced by these videos.

In particular, the third video entitled 'Inappropriate Demonstration' depicts a grossly caricatured version of teacher-pupil contact, and contains the statement "It isn't necessary to touch children in order to demonstrate. There's always a better way" (01:16).

Personally, I do not believe this is correct, and it reminds me of the issues that Jennie Bristow and Frank Furedi were so helpful in unpacking in their book Licensed to Hug (now in its second edition).

As an Alexander Technique teacher, I know that verbal instruction and demonstration is not enough to change habit patterns (we have a term for it: 'unreliable sensory appreciation'). In my profession, 'not touching' is simply not an option, and I'm sure that many music teachers feel the same.

What does anyone else think about these videos (www.youtube.com/user/TheMusiciansUnion) and the above statement in particular??

[Seer_Green]

I suppose that at the heart of the matter, how many of us are actually prepared to stand up and be counted and put our concerns/complaints/reservations about the message given off by these videos to the Board in writing.

It seems to me to be easy to discuss them and grumble about them on the forums (and I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that), but it doesn't make any difference. It does alter what the Board do because I don't think they read and take note of what's said here in the same way they might if these representations were made along more official channels.

[twinkle]

A very good point made about appropriate and inappropriate touch. The video is atrocious! Firstly, there is clearly no rapport between teacher and pupil: I touch my adult, teenage and children pupils often to correct hand position and posture, but I'm incredibly careful on how I do so. If I ever noticed a child looking uncomfortable, as does the one in the video, I'd stop! But, moreover, I wouldn't do what the teacher does in the video! Firstly, there's something much more intimate and unnecessary about the teacher's face being so close to the students. Secondly, I'd never just rest my hand on a student's shoulder. I do however often lightly touch students' shoulders to help them realise they're holding tension there. I realise, from having studied Alexander Technique that sometimes we often think we're in good posture until a light touch on the shoulder shows us otherwise.

One drawback of modern education is that it is not multi-sensory enough. We have 5 senses! 5 ways the brain can take in information. As a teacher, I'm always on the hunt to find the easiest route for students' learning. I'm not going to struggle explaining something verbally for half an hour when experience has shown me that a kinaesthetic tactile approach is more effective. That's just stupid! I'm actually very cheesed off at this video!

I suppose that at the heart of the matter, how many of us are actually prepared to stand up and be counted and put our concerns/complaints/reservations about the message given off by these videos to the Board in writing.

It seems to me to be easy to discuss them and grumble about them on the forums (and I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that), but it doesn't make any difference. It does alter what the Board do because I don't think they read and take note of what's said here in the same way they might if these representations were made along more official channels.

I'm going to start a new thread for people to post their own views on APPROPRIATE physical contact, what to be wary of etc. Then perhaps they can be collated, and sent to the board? How do people feel about that?