Help! How do I get my child to practice?

Home practice is the key to your child making consistent progress with their music, but we know the difficulty that many parents face in getting their child to devote time to their practice – particularly with the busy lifestyles most families lead and the distractions of the electronic age – television, computers, console games etc.

If you are looking for a few fresh ideas on how to have your child “WANTING” to sit down and practice, here are a few ideas from the Music Bus team:

1. 1) Make sure your child as an instrument to practice on at home – The Music Bus can help you with advice on this.
2. 2) Set up a practice zone – make a space available where your child will have quality, uninterrupted practice time – i.e. away from TV and other children
3. 3) Set a regular time each day – make the whole routine become a habit. Choose a time when your child is not tired, hungry or distracted by other things that need to be done. 15 minutes is all that is needed and is an ideal period for young student to concentrate for. 3 – 5 short practice sessions per week will achieve great results.
4. 4) Sit in on their practice at least once a week – this will show your child that you are interested in their progress and you can assess their practice methods.
5. 5) Give as much PRAISE as possible!!!!Young children need encouragement – especially as they launch into a whole new world of music. Criticism can be very harmful during the early stages especially.
6. 6) Conduct a 5 minute mini-concert – Gather round everyone in the household (perhaps invite Nan and Pop as well!) to listen to your child play their favourite pieces for you. Children love to show-off their skills and this is one of the best confidence boosters of all. Remember to applaud and praise – just like at a real concert!! Perhaps run it like a talent quest show and call it “This Kidz got Talent”.
7. 7) Set up a MY FAVORITES FOLDER – this is a folder where you can place copies of all your child’s favourite pieces. This should be an ever-growing collection. Let your child choose what goes in here. By building up this repertoire children will always have a list of pieces that can be shown off at any time. Encourage them to memorise some of these so they can be played anywhere anytime!
8. 8) Fill in and sign your child’s music practice chart so that you are taking an active interest.
9. 9) Set goals and rewards for your child. Yes we know it is bribery – but children really do respond to rewards. Can be something minor like a treat for consistently practicing for the week right up to the promise of an upgrade to a better musical instrument if they achieve a goal.
10. 10) If you have any concerns, please speak to your child’s MUSIC BUS teacher for some more helpful tips.

Download a Home Practice Record Sheet here