How Can I Help My Child Succeed in Practice?

I am so glad you are interested in piano lessons for your child! Whether you are an accomplished musician yourself, or have never taken lessons, you have a huge role to play in helping your child succeed in lessons. Here are a few ways I encourage you to help your child in their practice:

While I will help students develop a practice routine and plan, I can only follow up on practice once a week. Also, young students especially cannot motivate themsleves to practice daily. This is why I ask you as parents to help your child establish a practice routine just as you would ensure they do their homework or chores. The earlier they establish a routine, the faster they will progress in piano, and the more likely they will want to keep playing piano.

Here are some ideas and questions to consider in establishing a practice routine:

1. When does your child have the most focus and energy for practice?

2. What could help remind them to practice (homework chart, piano books near school books, practicing right when they get home from school, etc.)?

3. What might help motivate them to practice or frustrate them from practice?

4. What might be a distraction to their practice (tv in room, pets or siblings nearby, cluttered piano, etc.)

I expect students to practice at least 5 days a week (they can practice on Saturdays if needed, but I encourage them to take Sundays off). I also believe that consistency is more important than length of practice. If they spend some time at the piano at least 5 days a week, they will progress. I do encourage younger students to spend 5-10 minutes practicing, and older students 15-30 minutes, as much as possible.

Besides helping your child establish a practice routine, I encourage you to ask them to play their songs for you and others, and to help them as much as possible when they are stuck on something.

I hope this resource is helpful for you, and that you can enjoy seeing your child progress as a musician this year!