Ability Development from Age Zero by Shinichi Suzuki

Ability Development from Age Zero Reviews

• 
  Renee

  Though I’m a violin teacher, I only just got around to reading this book now. As a new mom, this book had double the impact. I’d love for parents to read this and believe this is more about raising children than anything else.
• 
  Dianna

  This book is typically read by parents and teachers of the Suzuki method. However, reading it this time around, I see it more as a parenting philosophy, especially good for young children (birth to age 5). Dr. Suzuki doesn't back up his ideas with research or facts; his ideas are peppered with anecdotes from his life and experience.
  
  While I generally prefer hard, cold facts, there's something in this book that speaks to me. A few parts made me raise an eyebrow, but for the most part, I agree with what Dr. Suzuki has to say: children are incredible bundles of potential, and the way we treat them determines how they'll turn out. Young children's bad habits are our fault. Our children need us to provide them good examples of how to live. Habits can be changed by practicing a new behavior more times than we practiced the old habit.
  
  I would recommend this book for all parents of young children, not just Suzuki parents.
• 
  Deb Luethy

  An oldie but goodie. Written by the world-renowned Dr. Suzuki in the late 1960s (he was born prior to 1900, BTW), this book is not really a guide to teaching violin, but rather his thoughts on parenting and child development in general. Many ideas are not just inspiring, but something to aspire to. In the nature vs nurture debate, Dr. Suzuki falls strongly on the nurture side. Not that I'm feeling any pressure. No, not me.
• 
  Jennifer

  Remarkably similar to Maria Montessori’s philosophy of education ~ the importance of the environment and respect for the child.
  
  I loved his thoughts on playing recordings of great violin performances by the masters and insisting that these masters are the students’ teachers, not him (the instructor). It changes the way a student listens to music, not just as a piece to be appreciated, but to be learned from. It’s also the best way to “teach” things like “musicality” which can’t really be “taught” in the traditional sense.
• 
  Pija

  Love it!
• 
  Peter Bringe

  Some good observations on education and child raising. Suzuki doesn't operate with a theory of sin or redemption, so I believe he is overly optimistic (perhaps messianic) in the potential of education. Yet, he helpfully points out the importance of the parent's role in early childhood education. It is easy to use "inborn ability" as an excuse for poor training. It is near impossible to discern what results from inborn ability and from environmental factors. Thus, the focus is on the responsibility to shape the environment of the child.
  
  As I understand it, his approach teaches that children adapt to their environment very well. As this ability decreases, the ability to improve oneself by reflection and judgment increase. Thus, the parent should reflect and take responsibility to take advantage of the child's ability to internalize things. Teaching by memorization, listening, example, and motivation take priority. The formation of the talents, personality, and abilities of the child should be, can be, and are formed like the ability to speak one's first language (e.g. no child has the inborn talent of speaking Japanese).
• 
  Emi

  A must read for parents of the Suzuki method. I read it as a required class with our piano teacher before beginning Suzuki method. I have seen first hand that learn by hearing works and I appreciate that the book focuses so much on nurturing our children. It is a good read overall for any parent and a nice reminder to always encourage and create positive environments for our kids even on those really tough days. My kids are doing great in the Suzuki method and yes- it required a lot of involvement on my part but it's so worth it with every new piano piece my kids master. They also play beautifully. I gave the book 4 stars because the translation is not very good. I have a MA in Japanese Lit and felt the book was cringe worthy at times- not what it was saying but in how it was written. It could use a retranslation.
• 
  Holly

  This book was a confirmation to me that Suzuki violin is what I was born to do! It read a lot easier to me than Nurtured by Love, and I feel like I understand better who Shinichi Suzuki was as a man. The book isn't about teaching the violin but is more about realizing the potential of children and creating an environment where they can grow and thrive. Suzuki said, "We must recognize that we were born as wonderful human beings with limitless possibilites." My translation: As children of God we have limitless possibilities. A major theme in this book is how we need to teach our children to serve others and not be self-centered, and how musician can only create what is in his heart. "The music is the man."
• 
  Alison

  I found this book to be profoundly interesting in the whole nature vs. nurture question. Dr. Suzuki believes that environment plays a tremendous role in how our children develop. He firmly believes and I tend to agree more and more that children are really the product of their enviornment. When children don't excel at something early on, we often say they aren't talented in that area, when really, we perhaps haven't created the environment for them to excel. He believes, as do I, that unless there is a severe developmental disability, any child can acheive sucess if we create that natural learning enviornment for them and sincerely praise their efforts.
• 
  Eileen Rose

  What Suzuki has done for music education of children from birth by listening, the way they learn any language, has proven phenominal! It is a totally different concept than the European method I was taught. I am adding it to my repetoire of teaching methods.
  
  The only thing I didn't care for was the way he blamed mothers if their children did not turn out to be good citizens. Yes, the mother's nurturing of children is critical! But, each child is born with unique personalities, God given talents and the ability to make choices, which also influence how they "turn out".
• 
  Nate

  I really like the philosophy of Mr. Suzuki, but the translation is quite dry, and the surplus of anecdotal evidence-which always has that cheesy predictable bow tied at the end of the story-is unimpressive. So although I think most of what he says rings true, I think he could have done a better job at presenting his creed.
  
  Also, if you read his prior book, Nurtured by Love, you may experience de ja vu, as some of the stories are repeated here (verbatim?). (Kind of odd to do that, but okay.)
• 
  Lisa Brown

  A fascinating look at how we learn, and how open children are to their environment when they are young. Shinichi Suzuki, the founder of the amazing musical "Suzuki Method," tell his theory of why children can learn musical instruments so young. In all, it was a wonderful book about how each of us can change and be more loving and open.
  
  My favorite part, was when he talked about how all children can learn, because all children learn to speak their own language - in context, it was an amazing truth that I had never thought about before.
• 
  Heather Babinsky

  This is another incredible book I just reread from Dr. Suzuki. I feel like this is more aimed at parents and how to develop ability in each child. I've had so many parents come to me before their child starts violin and tell me all sorts of learning "disabilities." They soon find that these things have been taught or emphasized and can be radically changed just by how they treat the child. I love this idea!
• 
  Rachel M

  Thought-provoking, scary, eye-opening, inspirational. Suzuki has now entered my list of people throughout history that I would like to have a chance to have coffee with, if it were possible. So many of his philosophies are pertinent not only to music, but the way to live your life. He strikes me as such a quiet, gentle, nurturing person who would help you to be a better person just by being around him.
• 
  Annell

  I read this book as one of my options to supplement my music education for Let's Play Music. I opened it thinking I'd find info relevant to only my students, but instead found more info I can use as both a parent and a teacher. I love the nurturing approach to teaching and found many ideas that I will be using in my classes and in my home. Great read.
  
  
  http://dragonflowersandbooks.blogspot...
• 
  Angel

  Quick, easy, life-altering read. Just as children pick up their native tongue in their regional dialect so easily and in such perfect imitation, so they develop the ability to play a musical instrument or the ability to be a happy and grateful person. And no, parents do not raise each of their children in exactly the same way; even the parents' own personalities change with each child.
• 
  Holli

  I liked this book from Shinichi Suzuki better than the other one that I read. The other one is more of an biography where this is more of giving tips on how to teach your child their instrument better. As well as good advice on raising kids.
• 
  Jen Hsieh

  My Mom made me read this. A bit thick for a 10 year old aspiring violinist.
• 
  Suzanne

  Fantastic for new Suzuki Parents!!!
• 
  Julie

  This book gives insight to how children learn and understand. Written for students of music, but I found it to be helpful with raising my children in general.
• 
  Suzuki

  Suzuki Parenting in small chapters.
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  Brenda Cregor

  If I ever start a preschool, you can bet this will be my blueprint!
• 
  Catherine

  Every parent should read this!