Piano teacher, Andra Kruka, is a delightful teacher based in London. In recent years, her attention has been drawn to a greater understanding of advanced child psychology.
In today’s interview, Andra shares several important considerations for parents as they fulfill their crucial role in supporting their children’s musical piano journey.
Listen to the full episode here
Tell us your piano story.
Andra Kruka, originally from Latvia, began piano lessons at the age of four. Her musical education was much different then than the way she teaches now.
Her parents, like many parents today, wanted to offer a variety of learning experiences for their daughter. When her first teacher didn’t connect well with Andra, her parents found a different teacher for her. Andra also enrolled in harp lessons and that teacher was very influential in growing Andra’s love of music and remains a friend and mentor to this day.
Later in her teen years, she was ready to give up her music studies but her parents, once again, encouraged her to keep going and finish her college degree.
The most influential people in a child’s life are their parents. Andra is now working to help other parents learn how to support and encourage their piano kids.
How can parents help their children?
- Parents need to have realistic expectations. Parents are helping their children to learn: time management, what to practice, how to practice, and working through difficult passages, among other things. Communicate with your teacher to learn what progress to expect from your child as they begin to study piano. They will not become professional musicians overnight. Each child will develop at their own pace. Give them a good practice environment and allow time for them to master the skill of playing the piano.
- Give your child positive feedback. Children have a keen sense of their parent’s mood, body language, and tone. Children learn best when they are in a safe environment. Parents would do well to notice their use of words and how they communicate with their children. Always try to find some way to praise and genuinely compliment your child. Give your teacher the responsibility of correcting mistakes and enjoy your role as your child’s biggest fan and cheerleader. Positive feedback, while your child is playing the piano, increases their endorphins and pleasure centers of the brain, which leads them to want to keep experiencing that activity.
- Remember mistakes are a very important part of learning. Do your best to refrain from interrupting your child’s practice when they make a mistake. Allow them to make the mistake, listen to their practice, and discover how to correct the problem. This will help your child become a thinker, more than simply a parrot, reacting to external feedback. Practice at home should not be perfect. In fact, mistakes can often lead to new explorations in music-making.
- Never use piano practice as a form of punishment. Doing so creates a negative association with the instrument.
- Help your child develop good time management. Guard your child’s schedule; balance the number of activities they are involved in at any one time. Private piano lessons require different expectations than group activities such as sports, dance, and gymnastics.
The biggest part of learning piano happens at home away from the teacher and that is why parents are so vital to their child’s success.
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Connect with Andra Kruka
Andra’s studio website: pianopiano.uk
Connect on Facebook: facebook.com/pianopianolondon
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