As it's the start of a new academic year, at our music service, we have been reminded about touching and not touching students and what is and isn't acceptable.

I'm after advice about what people do with breathing exercises. The sheet we've been given says we cannot touch them in their ribs, chest, waist or back area, and apparently it's not suitable to get another child to do it either. I've previously been getting another child in the child to put their hand on the other childs diaphragm etc.

How do I teach breathing in an effective way without touching in one way or another? i've also been known to prod a child gently in the diaphragm with my flute...............is this allowed!!!!!!!!!

sorry, that should say another child in the group...............I really should proof read!

Would it work puuting their own hand on their diaphragm and ribs? When my teacher taught me she put her hands on my diaphragm and ribs (back in the days when it wasn't a problem!!)

Hmmm I must admit I do actually get them to put their hand on my tummy to feel what happens when I breathe in etc and sometimes I ask them if I can check how they are using theirs - but my flute pupils are all about 15 years. I guess with younger ones it could be an issue (well I think its a bit OTT to be honest but still, political correctness and all that I suppose...).
I think its ok as long as you actually say "Would you mind if I did this as it tells me whether you are doing this" or somethign along those lines.

Generally, I demonstrate for my pupils on myself, and get them to feel on themselves where the diaphragm is. For the ribs, I get them to feel on my back how it works. We can't touch them, but it doesn't say they can't touch us! (okay it's probably implied, but, you know...)

I hardly ever touch them directly, occaisionally to stop their shoulders rising but otherwise, they must do everything themselves. If I do, I ALWAYS explain why which both justifies my gesture and also reinforces how the breathing is performed.

I haven't the same restrictions as I work privately, but still want to keep myself above accusation!

It wasn't that long ago when I started and I was manhandled plenty of times by my singing teacher but it always in the name of art!

I was manhandled too when I started playing the violin. I didn't think anything of it, the teacher was correcting my posture and that was all - and I have that manhandling to thank for the good playing skills I developed as a result.

I'm fortunate with all my private students since their parents are quite happy for me to move the children's arms, shoulders, hands etc. (and the kids don't mind either). If the children don't understand a particular explanation, they'd rather me physically move their arm or whatever than let them play the violin looking like a sack of potatoes.

I'm not sure what the score would be if I was male though. I have to say that I find some parents feel happier with a female teacher, especially around younger children.

It never fails to amaze me that teachers in schools are so heavily monitored with CRB clearance, guidelines on physical contact etc but nobody seems to bat an eyelid at the possiblity of private teachers carrying on 1:1 behind close doors without anyone taking a moment to see what's happening. (Not, by the way, accusing anyone on these forums of any inappropriate behaviour, just a general comment.) I suppose the feeling is that the pupils and their parents monitor the teacher but pity the "innocent" teacher who gets named by a pupil and only has their word against the pupil's as to what happened.

I have to say, as a female, I've not thought it likely I'd get a problem but I have a CRB clearance in another connection and my parents are all told this. I think it must be much harder for men working alone 1:1 and I've always felt very sorry (since life got so complicated) for organists teaching 1:1 in dark, cold churches with the door firmly shut to avoid intruders and the potential for all sorts of accusations by students if they were of the mind. I always tell my parents that they can sit in close proximity to my teaching room where they'll hear the lesson if they want to do so but very few take me up on this.

Like others, when I started teaching it was no problem to touch a child to demonstrate a point of breathing etc. Now I simply wouldn't do it. I get them to put their own hands on their diaphragm etc and to watch what happens when I do the same on mine and so on. It is a very sad reflection on society that we find ourselves in this situation but I guess better safe than sorry.

I wholeheartedly agree. But as a result the entire situation has gone 'overkill'. What's the next step to how we will be expected to teach - via video-link?!!

Sadly there exists devious children who would enjoy nothing better than telling lies about what a teacher supposedly did to them. Fortunately, teaching privately allows me to avoid this sort of situation, but I feel sorry for those who have little choice in who they teach.

Society as a whole has gone off the rails in many ways.

What's next? How about CCTV to record lessons and ensure nothing untoward is happening .