My child won't practice ! How can I help?

At first it was exciting! Your child couldn't wait to get to the piano lesson (or guitar lesson, or violin lesson etc), and if anything you had to drag them away from the instrument! But the novelty wore off and now it's a bit of struggle. How can you help, especially if you don't know anything about music?

You CAN help, even if you don't know anything about music. Help your whole family fall in love with music every day by playing music all day long. Have music on during family times such as meals, road trips and play time, have family dance parties, sing in the car, make up silly songs, take your child to concerts and recitals, encourage participation in music activities at school.

You CAN help your child with practice by thinking of it exactly the same way as all other homework. Here is a helpful checklist:

1. Ask the teacher if there is an assignment at the end of every lesson. Check while you are there that your child understands the assignment.

2. When you get home, unpack the instrument, open the music on a music stand to the assigned page.

3. Have a private place for your child to practice where no one is in earshot. (All musicians HATE having someone listen while they practice, including me!!)

4. Have a set time for practice every day, as you would for any other activity. Consider having two small practice sessions rather than one long one if your child has difficulty with focus.

5. At the end of the practice time, ask your child if they would like to play a little for you. Listen with love and praise the effort, not the music!

6. Ask your child if there are any areas they are struggling with. Pencil a circle around the area and say 'let's set this aside until we see your teacher next week. I'm sure she can help you with this. The important thing is that you tried.'

7. Reward your child with more music - have a dance party, download a favorite song, let them choose something to listen to!

   
   

   It takes six to twelve months to develop a strong practice habit, so patience is important. Also, ask your teacher if there are any concerts or recitals your child can participate in. Nothing motivates a musician more than a looming gig!

   
   

   

   
   
   
   

   At the Guitar Guild we have performance opportunities for students of all levels throughout the year. We carefully guide your child in not just WHAT to practice but HOW to practice. Our patient and caring teachers are passionate musicians, and that passion is infectious. So whether it is guitar lessons, piano lessons, singing lessons, violin lessons, drum lessons and more, we have everything your family needs to begin a lifelong love of music!