"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??

[baiba]

It looks as if the majority of professional music teachers agree that there may have to be some physical contact with their pupils in order to teach effectively.

Check out this link
http://www.abrsm.org/regions/fileadmin/use...dProtection.pdf specifically page 4 of the Code of Practice.

I wonder what ABRSM thinks of us? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[Arundodonuts]

It looks as if the majority of professional music teachers agree that there may have to be some physical contact with their pupils in order to teach effectively.

Check out this link
http://www.abrsm.org/regions/fileadmin/use...dProtection.pdf specifically page 4 of the Code of Practice.

I wonder what ABRSM thinks of us? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

It does refer to ABRSM staff and since none of them are involved in teaching, the "touching to demonstrate" issue doesn't come into it. They are probably right in their case to err on the safe side, though I still think it's sad we've become such a "hands off" society.

Maybe we do need a mass revolt

I'm sure we do. It's time we told the government (which ought to be renamed the "administration") what kind of society WE want rather than them telling us.