In the first two weeks of music class, your child excels as a superstar student. However, there's a temptation to let them slip into lazy practice habits, rationalizing it like this:
"My son is performing well and can play everything the teacher asks. I think it's okay if he only practices once a week; we manage to cover everything in one session because it comes easily to him."
"My daughter doesn't play the piano daily, but by lesson 5, she seems to be the top student in class. She feels confident with occasional practice, believing it's sufficient for her."
The Goal of Daily Practice is "Daily Practice"
One of our biggest goals in music class is to establish daily practice habits. As we get into more complicated lessons, the students who started out with once-weekly practice really struggle!
Practice daily to achieve goals gradually, avoiding unrealistic expectations of instant perfection set by weekly habits. Start daily practice routines before tackling challenging material.
Students who cram for lessons will face frustration soon. Playing the piano demands building muscle memory through repeated motions, alongside ear training that requires frequent exposure. Becoming a musician does not allow for cramming.
Getting Started
Start small to fit piano practice into daily life: Commit to 5 minutes daily with your child. Once at the piano, they'll likely enjoy playing through their pieces.
If your child doesn't practice, help them set a daily goal, like 15 minutes at the piano. Break practice into manageable parts to avoid overwhelm and encourage positive feedback.
Monitoring Regularly
Mark practice progress to boost motivation and ensure accountability. Avoid delaying practice log updates to maintain accuracy and encourage consistent effort.
Creating a fun practice log can motivate both you and your student. Celebrate streaks to keep enthusiasm high.
Scheduling
Establish a practice schedule for predictability and routine. Discuss a play plan with your child to manage practice times and backups.
Accountability
You play a vital role in supporting and encouraging practice. Joining a class provides added motivation and support from a knowledgeable coach.
Over the course of the year, your child can take more responsibility for completing and tracking his own practice, but it happens gradually and he'll need you there supporting, reminding, and cheerleading whenever he struggles with his routine. When he does eventually take over, it will be a sweet reward.
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