As a teacher, the first several weeks of school are my favorite time of year. The students are eager to get started with their new classes, their new teachers, their new activities. Everything we teachers do and say for the first week or two is enrapturing to our fresh-faced new pupils and the love is real. Parents have undoubtedly noticed their kiddos will at first spontaneously get their piano book out at home and diligently practice their lessons.
At some point, though, the honeymoon is always over.
Parents: you will know you have reached this post-honeymoon phase the first time you suddenly realize it’s time for next week’s lesson and the piano books are still packed in the backpack or on the table by the front door where they landed last week when you got home. Unfortunately, once this phase settles in it’s a tough one to undo.
So I’d like to offer a few quick ideas for setting your family up to steer clear of the post-honeymoon “no-practice” zone:
Given the opportunity, teachers (including myself!) love to fill parents in on what happened in the lesson. Aside from that, though, ask your child on the way home to tell you about the highlights from their perspective, while it’s fresh in their mind.
Set up a practice schedule that is easily maintained every week. This might be tied in with their school homework schedule.
Set up a practice chart with rewards for every practice session: stickers, coins, extra screen time!
Ask your child at random times to play you a song.
Have your child Facetime their grandparents and play them a song.
These are just a few general ideas to get you started. Check back with us for more specific ideas about how to help your child establish a regular habit of instrument practice. All families are different and I’m sure I have an idea that will strike the perfect chord with YOUR family (so to speak!).
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