How to Help a Child Practice Music

• Step 1

  Set clear practice rules with your child during the first month of lessons. Practice should occur daily and at the same time of day, if possible. For instance, you could establish that you and your child will practice "together" every night before dinner, between 6 and 6:15 p.m. Practicing "together" means that you, as the parent, will sit next to your child and actively observe, and even help when you feel comfortable doing so. The important thing is to be attentive and in the room with your child during this beginning time, to support him in developing his new practicing habit.

• Step 2

  Develop a reward system from the very beginning, as well. Put up a calendar where your child will notice it, and announce that you will put a sticker on it every day that she practices the right amount. If she collects a sticker every day for a week, she'll get to do or receive something fun. The actual reward is up to you, and should be based on what you know your individual child values. Here are a few ideas: go out for an ice cream sundae, go for a bike ride, let her stay up past her bedtime one night, let her download her favorite Hannah Montana song on iTunes, throw her a sleepover party, or go out to see a movie. After a few smaller weekly goals have been met, you may want to try longer-term rewards, like receiving an iPod for a month's worth of daily lessons. The point here is to associate consistent practice with a positive reward system, even beyond the satisfaction your child will feel in excelling musically. You may taper off the reward system as time goes by and your child doesn't need the external reinforcement as much.

• Step 3

  Take an active interest in your child's music lessons. Sit in at the lesson and listen to the teacher's material, if possible. The more you know about what your child should be practicing, the more you can make sure he actually practices it during the week. Ask your child's teacher to write each assignment in a small notebook (designating the book names and page numbers) so it's absolutely clear what the child needs to focus on.

• Step 4

  Set a timer when your child begins practicing, so she will know when she's completed her session. The more consistent you can be, the better. Another tip is to ask your child to "teach" you what she learned.

• Step 5

  Invite your family and friends to your child's recitals; the sense of community and praise he will feel will help his practicing tremendously. There's nothing worse than putting so much time into learning an instrument and feeling that no one cares to listen to it. You may even organize your own recitals at home during family events. Make your child feel special for practicing his music.

• 3
• Calendar Stickers
• Calendar
• Stickers
• You may even take music lessons yourself to gain a deeper understanding of the instrument your child is learning. Kids love it when they see their parents learn alongside them! You may be able to take lessons from the same teacher, and may even have a joint lesson with your child. This will undoubtedly impart in your child a sense of community and teamwork. Remember that you can change teachers if you feel your child's lack of interest in practicing is related to how she gets along with her teacher.
• You may even take music lessons yourself to gain a deeper understanding of the instrument your child is learning. Kids love it when they see their parents learn alongside them! You may be able to take lessons from the same teacher, and may even have a joint lesson with your child. This will undoubtedly impart in your child a sense of community and teamwork.
• Remember that you can change teachers if you feel your child's lack of interest in practicing is related to how she gets along with her teacher.
• When sitting in on your child's lesson, remember that you are an observer, not a member of the class. If you have questions for the teacher, ask him at the end of the lesson. The teacher should be completely focused on your child, not you. (If you're participating in a joint lesson with your child, this advice wouldn't apply.) If you hear mistakes during your child's practice session, don't comment on every single one. Give your child the space to teach himself (which is really what practicing is all about). Let him listen to his wrong notes and correct them on his own first. If you hear the same mistake over and over again with no self-correction, then you may decide if it's appropriate to step in and bring it to your child's attention. Remember, though, that your goal as a practice helper is to train your child to be a self-sufficient, productive and self-sustaining practicer, not someone who's dependent on your help.
• When sitting in on your child's lesson, remember that you are an observer, not a member of the class. If you have questions for the teacher, ask him at the end of the lesson. The teacher should be completely focused on your child, not you. (If you're participating in a joint lesson with your child, this advice wouldn't apply.)
• If you hear mistakes during your child's practice session, don't comment on every single one. Give your child the space to teach himself (which is really what practicing is all about). Let him listen to his wrong notes and correct them on his own first. If you hear the same mistake over and over again with no self-correction, then you may decide if it's appropriate to step in and bring it to your child's attention. Remember, though, that your goal as a practice helper is to train your child to be a self-sufficient, productive and self-sustaining practicer, not someone who's dependent on your help.

References & Resources

• The Piano Education Page