Friend, I thought I had it all figured out...

I’d written this beautifully crafted early childhood violin curriculum—full of fun, playful activities—to engage my daughter, Olive, when she was 3.

The plan? Offer lessons at her school in Wales, let her join the mini-group, and—voilà!—she’d be my star student.

I had visions of her beaming with pride, violin in hand, soaking up every musical moment.

Instead? She rolled around on the floor, called out at random moments, and pushed every single one of my buttons.

I wish I could tell you I responded with the patience of a seasoned educator. But no, I took it personally. Why was she doing this to me? I had worked so hard to create something magical, and here was my own child, seemingly doing everything but learning.

Looking back, I realise two big things:

1️⃣ Fun is subjective. Just because I thought I’d made learning engaging didn’t mean it was engaging for her. Her idea of fun was different, and I hadn’t considered that.

2️⃣ Self-regulation is a whole thing at age 3. I had no idea how much movement plays into early childhood learning. I was so focused on proving to myself that I could teach without parents in the room and still get great technical results, I forgot the most important part—the child is at the centre of it all. (Maslow’s Hierarchy, anyone?)

So what happened next? I adjusted. I leaned into movement, made space for exploration, and—slowly but surely—Olive started engaging. She wasn’t just following instructions; she was connecting with the music.

That moment shaped everything I do now. It’s why the Stringosaurus Hub is all about understanding young learners, meeting them where they are, and making lessons feel effortlessly engaging.

Ever had a moment where a student (or your own child!) surprised you like this? Hit reply and tell me—I’d love to hear your stories!

Talk soon,
Laura 🎻

P.S. Olive is now 14, and we discovered when she was about 8 that her true passion is singing! The amazing part? Starting with the violin—and all the musical foundations that came with it—helped build her inner ear. She recently won a competition to sing live in concert with the Perth Symphony Orchestra! 🎶

Never underestimate the impact you're having on your students. Even if the path looks different from what you expect, the foundation you're giving them now can shape their future in ways you can’t yet see. You make a huge difference. 💛