4 Ways to Get Your Child to Practice Music

The study of music provides so many benefits it just makes sense to bring voice and piano lessons into your child’s life. So, you select the right teacher — ideally someone from The Music Junction — as well as buy or rent a piano.

Your job, however, is not done. The day will come when your child has to practice and doesn’t want to. We’ve all been there. At some point every young musician will throw a tantrum or give attitude about practicing at home. The allure of toys and cartoons can sometimes overpower the wonderful ivory keys on a piano.

1. Practice Regularly — Get your child in the habit early that practice should happen every day or every weekday.  Eventually, this will feel like a normal routine, just like brushing their teeth and getting dressed. Experiment with morning, afternoon and evening practice sessions to see the time of day that works best for your child.
   

2. Don’t Put The Instrument Away — Keep the fall board up and leave the music sheets out. You might be surprised to see your child play a few notes, even when it’s not time to practice. Your young musician may not be practicing music assigned by the instructor but he will be improvising and learning something truly important, that music can be fun.
   

3. Make It Positive — Granted, it’s not always easy to figure out what is fun and positive for your child. Sometimes, it’s receiving praise from learning a song and other times it’s being rewarded for practicing a certain amount of hours. Some parents have found success in breaking up the monotony of rehearsing with some silliness ( i.e. have them practice while will standing on one leg) and others have realized that their children are more engaged when they have a say in music selection. Find the tactic that works best with your parenting philosophy and your child’s personality.
   

4. Be Involved — Even if you don’t know how to play or sing music, there are many ways you can be involved. Keep your young musician company as he or she practices. Also, offer words of support when your child becomes overly frustrated with a difficult passage and be there to congratulate her when she successfully finishes a song.

Have you found a successful tactic? We would love to hear your ideas in the comments section.

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Music Junction offers private one-on-one music lessons with talented and caring music teachers at our music school in Burbank, CA. Study your choice of piano, voice, guitar, ukulele, violin, drums, woodwinds, strings. Virtual lessons are also available.