How to Help Your Child to Practice at Home

How to Help Your Child at Home Practice

Practice regularly, everyday: seven days a week, no matter how many demands present themselves.
Play the artist’s recording of the music learned. Do this casually, several times a day, without concern for whether the children are listening attentively.
The age of your child will be major factor in your approach to practice. If your child is a preschooler, keep the elements of a game in high priority since learning takes place best when activity is fun.
Let your child have some say about the schedule for the daily practice. Make a chart showing the times that you have both agreed to and post it as a reminder.
Be enthusiastic yourself about the practice time!
Find an interesting practice routine that will cover the tasks to be done. List the assignment for the week and decide in what order they will be practiced. This can be done by using a prepared chart, by drawing lottery cards, or by some other system.
Actively involve your child in determining specifically what is to be learned and how to go about it. Do not tell him what the teacher said – ask him.
Learn how to work in very small steps: one note, two notes, or one measure. Connect one small step to another and rejoice in the progress.
Motivate your child by making a chart, which shows his progress. Be creative!
Learning the notes, fingering and other technicalities is the beginning of study for a musical piece. Only through mastery will it contribute to the building of permanent skills.
Be generous with encouraging remarks, even though a good effort may not have produced successful results. Treat “praise” with caution, avoid verbalizing irritation, and reward your child with your love and appreciation.
As you advance in the repertoire, spend more and more time reviewing and improving the pieces learned.
Once or twice a week, give a home concert for the parent who does not usually supervise the practice sessions. Include bowing and applause.
Sense when a practice session is over. It is more important to return to the instrument with joy and enthusiasm, tomorrow than to force a few extra minutes today.

Please inquire at Music House, Inc 773-761-3770 or email at: musichouse5617@sbcglobal.net