Inspire not Require

One of the principles of a Thomas Jefferson Education is "Inspire not require". This has always been something I have struggled with. It is so much easier to just require. And I do a lot more require then I should. Here is one way in which I am trying to inspire while learning a great skill at the same time.

Sophie has expressed interest in learning music. Her primary teacher plays the organ at church. Sophie has been telling me for a while that she wants to play the organ. I, and her primary teacher, have told her that she should start by playing the piano. I don't play the piano. I took lessons for a short time when I was little but just didn't catch on. I did play the flute and in high school switched to the Euphonium. So I can read music and know a lot of music theory and such. I just couldn't play both hands together on the piano. I know this just takes a lot of practice. So I borrowed some of my old piano books from my youth, my Mom still had them. And I also bought a few easy piano books. We also splurged and bought ourselves a keyboard that is touch sensitive just like a piano. So now I practice playing the piano every day. I can already see a lot of improvement. Not that I am playing anything substantial. I can play a few primary songs and a few hymns and I can play most all the songs in the 2nd grade piano book. I am enjoying this practice time each day. It is very relaxing to sit and practice. The best part is that Sophie is taking a lot of interest in playing. Not that she is ready for lessons yet. I did buy us a book called "Teach yourself how to play piano" and have gone through the first few lessons. Sophie can play a few little tunes. I need to give her more "lessons" but she has a lot of fun just making up tunes on her own and playing those few short pieces that she has learned.

One day Sophie asked me "Why do you play that same song over an over again?". I told her it was because in order to get it right I have to practice. So if nothing else she is learning that you have to work and practice at something. It isn't coming easily. But at least I am getting slowing better and I can tell I don't stumble through nearly as much and learning new tunes isn't as difficult.
Hopefully I am inspiring her to one day want to play as well. I would love for her to play music. I am happy for now to just learn something new myself.