This week’s show is my answer to a recent question from a piano parent.
Beth writes, “What is the best way to help a kindergarten student practice?”
Thank you for the great question, Beth!
Kindergarten is a wonderful time for students be begin learning to play piano. They are excellent learners, eager to soak up any information we give them. This is a great blessing and a great responsibility for parents.
Young children have not yet learned responsibility and discipline or time management and self control. Unless you are actively involved in their home practice, they will not make progress and both of you will become frustrated.
Today I’d like to share some things to consider when practicing with your young piano kids. Notice, I said WITH your piano kid. Just like personal hygiene, household chores, and school homework, YOU must be the driving force behind your child’s training.
Listen to the full episode here
Develop a Love of Music
Cultivate a relationship with your child through music
Dance and sing with you child
Enjoy music together
Listen to Episode 10 for more details and ideas
Timing is Everything
You can go with the flow but you can also influence the direction it goes
Set up a practice routine (Episode 105 Blessing of Routine)
Set up a schedule for practice
Follow the schedule
Sometimes we all get in a funk, we’re just not feeling it
Investigate to see what the underlying cause could be
Maybe they think the music is too hard or too easy. Nicole Douglas shared some great tips about this in Episode 85.
Maybe they’re distracted by other sounds in the home. Dawn Ivers talked about the importance of a good practice environment in Episode 061.
Maybe they’re just having an off day.
Pick Your Battles
Attitude is everything – not only your child’s attitude but also your attitude.
Your child’s attitude
If they are having an off day, wait for a better opportunity. In Texas, we say if you don’t like the weather, wait a few minutes, it’s bound to change.
Give them some time to unwind
Read a story, play outside, have a snack (drinking water really helps those brain neurons get fired up!)
After the activity come back to the piano
Make sure you are the one dictating the schedule. Don’t let “I don’t want to practice now” become “I don’t want to practice today or this week.”
Your attitude
I taught all my children to play piano and read music and I realized my shortest fuse was with my own children. I could be very patient with other people’s children but I had higher expectations with my own.
Maybe you need a short break so you can gear up to offer your child a pleasant experience.
What to do at the piano with your piano kid
Here are some practical suggestions for how you can help your young child practice at home.
Follow your teacher’s instructions – email or assignment book
Start with a familiar piece first to warm up?
Start with a new challenge while they are fresh and ready to think?
Sit next to your child – at the piano or in a chair close by.
I heard a great tip on another music podcast (Beyond the Music Lesson Podcast) today. Practice the same number of items as your child’s age. Write 5 items on a whiteboard (in order of priority) and let your child erase as they are completed.
Help them place their correct fingers on the correct piano keys.
Early books have great details for you to follow.
If you’re not sure, ask your teacher (attending the lesson and taking notes will help you, too.)
Point to the notes on the staff to help them track the music
They are having to find keys on the piano and follow the music. They can get lost when their eyes go back and forth
Pointing is better than writing. They need to learn to interpret the musical symbols. Don’t be tempted to give them a crutch by writing finger numbers or alphabet letters. Listen to more about reading music in Episode 106.
Play along with them
They will model your movements
They will enjoy your mistakes and gain more confidence to try again
They can ‘teach’ you how to play the song
Give them some space
Once you’ve helped your child become familiar with their assigned piece, give them a chance to play it on their own. Stay beside them in case they need help but don’t rush to help too quickly. Give them time to think
After a few days of learning their piece, have them go to the piano on their own. Let them find the correct page in their book, place their hands, and play the piece solo. Applaud even the tiniest victory and help them with areas that still need your help.
Give your piano kid time time to explore on the piano. Let them experiment with all the sounds the piano can make. It may sound like noise but your piano kid is learning. (Learn more about this in Episode 75)
Treasure this time – it will be gone too soon
We have Just 18 Summers with our children at home.
Be your child’s biggest cheerleader. Set them up for success.
Final thoughts
I want to give a warm welcome to all the new subscribers to the podcast coming from the #fallintomusic practice challenge. I have loved seeing your pictures on Facebook and Instagram!
For anyone who didn’t get in on the challenge for September, you are more than welcome to use it in October and November. Fall lasts longer than September, after all. 🙂
Shout-Out: To my student, Emily, and her family. Emily recently learned to play “Beach Party” in Piano Adventures Lesson book 2B. I showed her how the chord progression is the same as Heart and Soul (C – Am – F – G).
She played the chord progression in the bass and her mom, brother, new sister-in-law and even her brother all played the top part of the duet with her!
What fun – making music and making wonderful family memories!
Thanks for listening!
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