Getting your child to practice their instrument is a lot like getting them to eat their vegetables…a definite struggle at times! But with a little creative parenting on your part, your child can learn to love practicing! If you’re tired of begging your kid to practice their instrument and are over the tears and tantrums, we have the perfect solution for you. Read on to discover our three-step approach to make your child practice more…without twisting their arm and without them hating you in the process!
- Make It Fun
Children hate activities that are boring and repetitive. Scratch that–people of all ages hate activities that are boring and repetitive. That’s why practice sessions need to be fun! Music lessons are an ideal way to ensure that your child doesn’t get bored or lose interest in their instrument. Music lessons, like the ones we teach here at our Scottsdale studio, make the learning process enjoyable, challenging, and, most of all, fun! With group or private music lessons for the guitar, bass, drums, voice, and keyboard, your child will learn to play songs from their favorite artists, get the opportunity to meet and bond with other music students, and always discover something new at every lesson. Learning to play an instrument should never feel like a chore, so whether or not you choose to enroll your child in music lessons, remember to instill fun into their practice sessions one way or another!
- Create a Reward System
Everyone likes to be rewarded for a job well done, and kids are no exception. If you want to take the hassle out of your child’s practice sessions, then consider rewarding them for their good behavior. This method is extremely helpful for younger children who may be struggling with keeping up a practice schedule. The reward doesn’t have to be anything big or expensive…it could be something as simple as TV perks, an extra 10 mins added to their bedtime, or even making them their favorite food. Whatever you choose to reward them with, know that this is not a permanent arrangement. Once your child gets in the habit of practicing their instrument and their passion for music grows, they will begin to rely on the reward less and less, and will start to practice on their own out of sheer want and enjoyment.
- Motivate Them
The last way you can get your child to practice their instrument is by motivating them and encouraging them. Acknowledge that they might not always be in the mood to practice, but let them know that in the long-term their hard work will pay off. Every little word of encouragement and support you give them will make a tremendous difference in their attitude towards practicing and belief in themselves. You can also support their musical interests by taking them to local concerts in Phoenix and Scottsdale, creating a practice space for them, and taking the time to learn about musicians they admire.
All of these things will help take the drudgery out of practicing and make it more than a necessary evil, but rather an activity that your child takes pleasure and pride in. What more could a parent ask for!