♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ 

Getting Your Child to Practice

One of the most common issues that arise is in regards to the ‘P’ word. It is often one of the most difficult things to make your children do! However, it is also one of the most important! It helps make the most of your time with your teacher if you are familiar with the piece through the practice you did at home.

• Reward Practice: A job well done could mean an extra half scoop of ice cream for dessert or an extra 15 minutes added to bed time. These may seem like little things but they mean a lot to a child still getting into their routine. It’s positive reinforcement and a lesson that when you do something good, you get something in return.
• Set up a Routine: Letting students choose for themselves what time in the afternoon/evening to practice does not work for most students – especially younger ones who aren’t used to managing their time. You can’t wait for chance to practice to meet the urge to practice as those two may never align! It may never be ‘a good time’ to sit down and put in that effort. Setting up a consistent window and monitoring it may be the best way forward.
• Make Practice Fun: Think of a game that you could play to encourage them getting to the piano. Maybe every time they hear the phone ring they could go do a song or two. Or every time a commercial for their favorite show comes on they could practice their scales. NOTE: Don’t use it in a negative way such as forcing practice for naughty words said or for teasing a sibling, etc.

• Curb the Stage Fright: It may be that they are getting nervous leading up to the recital. Students will often be discouraged from practising in the weeks below as they are afraid of messing up at in front of so many people at the live event. Get them to play some of the songs for you or for your friends, grandparents, or other relatives. Live performance should boost their confidence and reassure them that the practice is working.

• Mix up their Song List: Speak to their teacher about putting in a few popular pieces from pop culture, show tunes, or TV themes or jingles. Teachers understand that mixing up the song list can reignite a desire to get involved. They can show off their favorite songs to their friends which will give them confidence and cool points.
• Escape the Routine: Students may get in a rut  with the every day routine of practising. Practising every day can get a bit repetitive and sometimes kids need a break. See whether you can agree on some ‘Practice Free Days’. If they are meant to practice 30 minutes a day, 6 times a week, see if you can get them to do so 3-4 times a week for 40 minutes. That way they feel like they have some days where they get to properly enjoy time off instead of dreading approaching the piano bench.