A fellow teacher recently shared a fascinating challenge: she teaches violin to 3- and 4-year-olds during “choice time” at a daycare.

This means the children don’t have to join the lesson—they can choose to play with toys instead.

Her question was simple yet thought-provoking: What are your thoughts on violin being a “choice time” activity?

Here’s mine: While I don’t love it, I think anything that makes the violin accessible to young learners is better than nothing. It’s not a perfect setup, but it can work—up to a point.

I believe in making the best of these situations by tapping into what naturally draws children in: curiosity, playfulness, and joy.

But this got me thinking… It’s a challenge many of us face as teachers.

How do we create meaningful learning experiences when the setup isn’t ideal?

How do we compete with toys, distractions, and the boundless energy of little ones?

I’d love to hear your thoughts:

• Have you ever taught in a similar situation?

• What strategies helped you engage students in less-than-ideal conditions?

• Do you think violin should always be a structured activity, or is there value in giving children the choice to participate?

Let’s open up the conversation! Share your experiences and ideas by replying to this email. Together, we can uncover creative solutions for teaching in unconventional environments.

P.S. In my next email, I’ll share some ideas and creative strategies I’ve used in these types of situations. Stay tuned!

Warmly,
Laura
Founder, Stringosaurus Resources Hub