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| ADVANCE TO MUSIC |
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| How Can I Encourage My Child to Practice? |
1. Make the piano area beautiful and inviting for your child:
- Make the piano a center of attention - there can be a few pictures of your family, or other
decorations, but no toys that would create a distraction.
- If possible, put the piano in an area that your child will see often
- Make sure that there is a proper level of lighting
- If the bench is not tall enough provide a firm pillow, and a small stool on which your child can put their
feet to maintain a proper position at the piano - your piano teacher will let you know what you need.
-The music, and assignment books should be visible, organized, and easily accessible to your child.
You can use a beautiful basket or organizer of your choice.
- Keep at least one pen, and two sharp pencils with erasers with the piano books - your child will
need them for the written exercises, and homework assignments.
2. Set a practice time at least three times per week, according to your schedule.
- Choose a time when you,or another member of your family will be available to sit with your child and
help him /her practice. Especially in the beginning your participation will be crucial because your
child will need your guidance to develop a habit of consistent practicing.
- Make practice times fun and enjoyable: Have your child " teach" you. This will give him/her a chance to
repeat what they have learned during the lesson. Children LOVE encouraging audience! Also, make
sure that your child follows the teacher's instructions - everything will be written in the student's
assignment book.
- From time to time every child has moments when they do not "feel" like practicing. It is very important
that you help them to stay on track.
What works:
- Explain to your child why practicing is important to them, and to you /enjoying listening to
their beautiful piano playing, being proud of them.../
- Instead of "forcing" the issue, you may offer a reward for the weekend if your child practices certain
number of times during the week... / be creative, you know best what your child would like the most/.
- Some parents have shared with me that they tell their children that they can only watch TV, play
games, or ...do whatever they enjoy best, after they are done with their piano practice for the day.
According to them this works great.
3. The value your child places on their piano lessons, piano playing, and their progress will depend on the level
of your commitment.
Children listen to what we say, and watch what we do. You encouraged your child's desire, and
arranged for him/her to start taking piano lessons. He/she heard you say how happy and proud you
feel when you listen to his/her piano playing. Now, let's think about what your child is seeing:
- Do you spend time with him/her at the piano on a regular basis- listening, helping, reading from the
assignment book? If these times together are important to you, practicing will be important to your
child.
- Do you consistently encourage them to practice on your scheduled days/ times, or do you
often make exceptions for different reasons?
- Do you often agree to cancel piano lessons for different reasons? / other than health related reasons/.
- Does your child participate together with the other students in the recitals organized by your piano
teacher?
All parents want their children to progress and succeed in every area of their life. I really hope that this
article will help your child in at least one of them - and enjoy music for life.
- Make the piano a center of attention - there can be a few pictures of your family, or other
decorations, but no toys that would create a distraction.
- If possible, put the piano in an area that your child will see often
- Make sure that there is a proper level of lighting
- If the bench is not tall enough provide a firm pillow, and a small stool on which your child can put their
feet to maintain a proper position at the piano - your piano teacher will let you know what you need.
-The music, and assignment books should be visible, organized, and easily accessible to your child.
You can use a beautiful basket or organizer of your choice.
- Keep at least one pen, and two sharp pencils with erasers with the piano books - your child will
need them for the written exercises, and homework assignments.
2. Set a practice time at least three times per week, according to your schedule.
- Choose a time when you,or another member of your family will be available to sit with your child and
help him /her practice. Especially in the beginning your participation will be crucial because your
child will need your guidance to develop a habit of consistent practicing.
- Make practice times fun and enjoyable: Have your child " teach" you. This will give him/her a chance to
repeat what they have learned during the lesson. Children LOVE encouraging audience! Also, make
sure that your child follows the teacher's instructions - everything will be written in the student's
assignment book.
- From time to time every child has moments when they do not "feel" like practicing. It is very important
that you help them to stay on track.
What works:
- Explain to your child why practicing is important to them, and to you /enjoying listening to
their beautiful piano playing, being proud of them.../
- Instead of "forcing" the issue, you may offer a reward for the weekend if your child practices certain
number of times during the week... / be creative, you know best what your child would like the most/.
- Some parents have shared with me that they tell their children that they can only watch TV, play
games, or ...do whatever they enjoy best, after they are done with their piano practice for the day.
According to them this works great.
3. The value your child places on their piano lessons, piano playing, and their progress will depend on the level
of your commitment.
Children listen to what we say, and watch what we do. You encouraged your child's desire, and
arranged for him/her to start taking piano lessons. He/she heard you say how happy and proud you
feel when you listen to his/her piano playing. Now, let's think about what your child is seeing:
- Do you spend time with him/her at the piano on a regular basis- listening, helping, reading from the
assignment book? If these times together are important to you, practicing will be important to your
child.
- Do you consistently encourage them to practice on your scheduled days/ times, or do you
often make exceptions for different reasons?
- Do you often agree to cancel piano lessons for different reasons? / other than health related reasons/.
- Does your child participate together with the other students in the recitals organized by your piano
teacher?
All parents want their children to progress and succeed in every area of their life. I really hope that this
article will help your child in at least one of them - and enjoy music for life.