How to Encourage a Child to Practice the Piano

Getting a child to practice the piano can be challenging. Every child is different, and each is motivated by different factors. Here are a few simple steps that can encourage your child to practice the piano.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Make sure your practice room is free of distractions during practice time. Ensure that the room is not too warm or too cold. Doing these things helps to create a comfortable and conducive practice environment.
2. Set aside a specific time for practice each week. This way your child will learn to expect the routine.
3. Make an agreed upon piano practice contract with your child based on rewards.
4. Set up a visual system for rewards, such as a sticker chart to help track practice time or the number of pieces practiced. Your child will be more motivated as she will be able to immediately see the accomplishments made and progress towards the anticipated rewards.
5. Let your child start off practice with a piece of music that he loves.
6. Always give positive reinforcement during each practice session to increase your child's confidence and self-esteem. Do not criticize.
7. Commend your child's efforts in learning a piece, not just the accomplishments.
8. If a piece of music is too hard to learn, break it into sections. This helps your child to not to feel overwhelmed and frustrated.
9. Listen to your child and discuss her feelings about what she is frustrated with or has learned before and after each piano practice session.
10. Do not force or threaten your child. This will make him resent practice.
11. Be a supportive parent. If your child wants you to be around during practice, find that time.

Tips & Warnings

• Rotate different methods of rewards or charts. It can get monotonous after a while with the same chart.
• Work closely with the piano teacher if your child has one. Both of you can be a team in encouraging your child to practice.
• Base rewards on what gets your child excited or grant them privileges for fulfilling their part of the commitment.