To Parents: Practicing tips 101

I have two goals as piano teacher: to drive the progress forward, while together we also have as much fun as possible. Music is so valuable for your child’s development, it can be such a fantastic way for children to learn that the best rewards (developing a real skill) comes from regular practice, and pushing through challenges.

There will be times during their musical journey when we take time to learn and practice pieces that come more easily (to establish confidence and enjoyment). And when each student is ready, I then introduce new challenges and concepts. These incremental steps we take towards developing new skills may initially be unsettling. You can help them to understand that anything that feels frustrating and difficult only feels this way in the beginning, and that even after practicing it a few times it does get easier.

Many children want to learn to play, but may not have the maturity to understand that they can’t reach their goals without regular practice. Therefore, your child’s success is dependent on your commitment to help them develop the new habit of getting their regular practicing done.

Regular practicing will help ensure that lessons can always be a positive experience. Students of all ages who do not come prepared often end up dreading the lessons. If this happens regularly, they will get frustrated, possibly feeling piano is boring because they end up repeating the same material, rather than moving forward.

I’ve written down some of the tips I share with parents here. These have worked for me personally, but you know your own child best. The most important goal is that piano helps to build their confidence, and that they learn to enjoy the process of developing their skills.

Before I give the practical tips, let me emphasize the importance that you stay positive!!!! Give them lots of compliments. Let them be the expert and show you what they are doing. This is so important if you want them to overcome their possible frustrations when facing new challenges. The goal is to help them reach that amazing moment of elation when suddenly that difficult bit of music is easy, and they realize “I can do it!!” Those are beautiful moments.

Tips for Practicing Success:

o Students should practice their pieces 3 times each time they practice (5 times is even better, but keep things simple in the beginning and once this routine has been well established, then encourage them to do just a bit more). For younger beginner students, this only takes about 5 minutes. For early learners it might take 10-20 minutes depending on the number of pieces they are working on.

o If you find it is a struggle to get them to practice, I suggest that you could use the activities or foods they already enjoy as a reward (ex. chill-out time with tv, video games, a small treat, a sticker chart…..just make sure it’s something you feel comfortable repeating on a daily basis). You will find that if you do this daily, that your child will quickly learn how easy it is to just do that little bit of practice time to get the reward. It’s totally natural for them to initially resist a change to their usual routine. I’ve heard it said that it takes 8 weeks to change or start a new habit, but I think it’s easier for kids than it is for adults.

o Make sure younger siblings or other distractions are removed as best as possible. Show them their musical development and practice time is a priority.

o For younger students, sit with them for at least their first 1-2 practices each week to ensure they are working on the homework listed in their notebook. Listen in and check in with them, ask them if they are ready for the next lesson.

It’s fine if occasionally a student doesn’t have time to practice daily (early beginners I suggest 5 days a week so they have a rest day). We can do theory activities, and there’s always new musical elements or music we can focus on when needed.

I’ll always be here to support and guide them in a way that helps them to build confidence and enjoyment in their development.