If you’re raising a budding Mozart who puts mastering the technical complexities of music above video games, television, and goofing off with friends, you may not need to read this.
Most kids, however, need a little help making good use of their time and energy. For the parents of those kids, here are 5 helpful tips for making that happen:
1. Positive Reinforcement
Be enthusiastic about what your child is doing, and let them know you are proud of what they have accomplished thus far. Give them attention when they do well.
2. Let them have a choice in the music they learn
This is a great tip for music teachers. Naturally as a teacher and experienced musician, you have a repertoire for your students to learn. Some students are excited to learn the pieces you offer; others are less enthusiastic. For those who lack enthusiasm, letting them learn a piece of their choosing can ignite a passion for their instrument. You can either let them choose a song out of the blue, or offer them a selection from which to choose. Allowing them to participate in the process makes learning the music all the more exciting.
3. Keep the goal in sight
Take your child to concerts that feature people who have mastered the instrument your child is learning. When they see what is possible, they will be reminded that diligence pays off.
4. Three bean practice
Get three small objects – marbles, coins, dried beans, what have you. When your child is struggling with a difficult measure, or piece of music, line these three objects up on the left side of their music stand. When the child plays the measure, or piece, perfectly, move one object to the right side of the stand. When they have all three objects on the right side of the stand, allow the child to move on to another measure or piece. This will solidify the child’s progress in their own mind.
5. Reward them
Offer an incentive for your kid to put in the practice time. If your child is an avid gamer, offer them a half hour of game-playing in exchange for a full hour of practice. Pick a prize that is important to your kid (treats, credit for a future trip to a theme park, tickets to a concert), and use that to motivate them. Be sure take a positive approach and make the reward feel like something they have achieved through good work, rather than something that will be taken from them as punishment for failure.
Remember, every child is different. Kids do not respond uniformly to any single approach. Try different angles until you find what works for them individually.