Cornerstones

The Cornerstones are the Philosophy of Music Mind Games

With mindfulness and practice, teachers and parents will bring the spirit, inspiration, and wisdom found in these Cornerstones to the games. As children find success with each step and have fun, they will understand new concepts and want to remember them. Along with eagerness to discover and learn more, confidence blossoms and grows.

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Cornerstones for Teachers

These Cornerstones enhance each game with spirit and inspiration. Through mindfulness and practice, teachers and parents will find success guiding students to understand new concepts. As students have fun with each game, their confidence blossoms and they retain their eagerness to learn.

Cornerstones for Students

Teachers and parents, will you be good examples for us and be our gentle guides? When we are raised with kindness, joy, opportunities, and boundaries, we naturally demonstrate many of these Cornerstones on our own. We like to reinforce good habits and behave respectfully with goodwill toward ourselves and others.

1

Without assuming any prior knowledge, believe that every student is brilliant and can learn.

I am brilliant, and I can learn anything.

2

Provide students with the right environment for learning, and they will reveal great ability and intelligence.

I can be brave and try my best when I know what I'm supposed to do.

3

Believe that joyous and satisfying learning is a natural part of life.

Learning new things can be really fun.

4

Successful learning occurs in many small steps rather than a few big steps.

Learning a little bit at a time is easier for me.

5

If students seem confused, it means more repetitions or a different approach may be needed.

When I'm confused, I like my teacher to demonstrate again or try another way.

6

Happy and relaxed students hardly realize they are learning because they are having so much fun.

I feel happy and have more fun when it's easier to learn.

7

Students remember best what they discover and experience for themselves.

When I discover something for myself, it's easier to remember it.

8

Help all students feel successful, and they will want to discover more.

I can wait quietly for other students to figure out answers for themselves.

9

Allow students to learn by providing interesting materials to challenge them without overwhelming them.

Neat materials get my attention and make it easier to learn.

10

Strive to be kind, generous, and encouraging since mistakes are a natural part of learning.

It's okay to make a few mistakes when I learn something new.

11

Develop an endless capacity to improvise and create situations that help all students succeed.

I like it when my teacher thinks of fun ways to make learning easier.

12

Be cheerful, a bit of an entertainer, and have fun yourself.

I learn best when my teacher is cheerful.

13

Be kind, respectful, and preserve everyone's dignity by not embarrassing anyone. When students don't know an answer, guide them with useful information.

It feels good when I'm kind to other students and respectful to my teacher.

14

Maintain a quick pace to interest and challenge students since they are capable of learning quickly.

I try to pay attention and be enthusiastic so my teacher knows I'm learning.

15

Help students to learn concepts first, then commit them to memory through repetition.

When I can't remember something, it helps to play a game again and again.

16

The true objective of teaching is to inspire a love of learning and to help students to learn and remember well.

I enjoy learning new things and remembering them.