What can I do to encourage my kids to practice?
Often encouraging your child to
practice can be a difficult experience, particularly in the first year. There
are however, helpful tips and suggestions that can positively encourage your
child to practice.
Practice Plan
Creating the ideal practice plan
that will help your child keep focus is one of the key strategies. Develop a
plan with your child to allow them to feel included and involved in the process.
This will create greater ownership of the plan and encourage your child to
commit to practicing. Instead of treating the practice plan as a homework sheet,
parents should make sure that the practice plan covers a mix of fun activities
and the core syllabus. For example, parents should have an active role by
playing fun music with your child. This will allow your child to bond with you
and associate the experience positively.
Set Goals
Start with small goals such as
learning how to play a section of the music sheet is a great way to encourage
your child. Setting goals allows your child to not feel overwhelmed and to have
an aim in mind to achieve. It is also important to remember to provide positive
re-enforcement and positive affirmation when your child achieves a goal. Once
achieved, your child will feel positive and more confident in their skills,
which will then encourage your child to continue practicing.
Positive Rewards
Instead of restricting
activities or taking away toys, which can often lead your child feeling forced
or negative about practicing, it is best to provide them with rewards that can
be used as a motivator. Establishing a list of positive rewards can encourage
your child to be patient and disciplined. All rewards should be related to the
type of instrument or music your child is interested in. For example, rewarding
your child by taking them to a music store can encourage their interest for
music. Here they will be able to select new music sheets from their favorite
artists. Parents can also select a range of songs outside of the syllabus that
are fun and enjoyable to learn..