If you are trying to get your five-year-old to play the piano, he or she may not successfully be able to focus their attention for a full thirty minutes, but with the right motivational tools, it is possible to become a better musician.
Best Practice Tips
Setting a goal is the first step for a young musician who is just getting started with their musical instrument. Having an achievable goal each practice session is what can help them reach their potential. So if a child wants to play one part of a song correctly, then this should be their goal.
Setting unrealistic expectations can possibly lead to frustration for the parent and child involved in the music lessons. Being your child’s cheerleader is also important while learning a musical instrument. Providing encouraging words for them each time your child practices shows that you are supporting them throughout their music experience.
Pennies on the stand is one example where a parent puts three pennies on the music stand and if the child plays the music correctly, the penny moves from the left to the right. If the child continues to play the music correctly a few more times, those other pennies move to the right as well.
The time of day when a child practices their instrument can also affect their mood and motivation. If an older child can focus better in the morning, practicing their musical instrument in the morning may be more beneficial than trying to sit and practice in the evening after a long day.
Consistency is the Key
It is beneficial for children to be consistent in practicing their musical instrument. If your child goes a long period of time without practicing, they can lose progress and skills they had previously developed before.
To make practicing the piano more fun, some teachers use flowkey, which you can learn more about here, where students can use an interactive app to choose a song they like and really want to play. This experience of flowkey can help children become more consistent with practicing the piano, especially if your child gets to play songs on the piano that they like.
Finding the Right Teacher
Whatever instrument your child chooses to learn, it is important for them to feel connected to their teacher. If the teacher cannot relate to their students, it may be difficult for a child to be motivated to want to play for them. The teacher should also have a thorough understanding of the child’s learning needs and whether or not they would require extra help with issues like ADHD.
Leading By Example
A great way to encourage your child to play is by playing the piano in front of them and essentially showing them how it’s done – providing you can of course. If your child sees you play, then this can make them want to practice as well and may inspire them to want to learn.
Hopefully you can employ some of these motivational tips to help your child become a better musician and pianist.