Welcome to a New Year, piano parents! I am always very excited to see my students after the holidays. This is also a time of year that many families are working on setting up a new year piano practice routine.
A regular piano practice routine ensures that your child will make steady progress throughout the year.
Imagine back when your child was learning how to read. Which scenario has your child reading more quickly?
- Reading to your child every day & having your child read small sections to you as well.
- Once a week, you & your child sit down to review & learn new phonetic rules followed by practicing reading a story together.
I think we can both agree that the second scenario leads to a child who not only reads more quickly, but enjoys reading more often as well.
Routines Make it Easy
We have set up various routines with our twin boys over the years. Part of this is because I do not want to repeat myself a million times. (Does any parent want to?) The other part is that as a teacher I learnt how important routines are for children.
Did you know that routines help children feel more confident & foster independence?
When children know what the expectations are & what is coming up next, they can make mental shifts on their own. Instead of parents guiding everything for them.
Build Off What Exists Already
My children know that when they come home from school they need to:
- Put their agendas on the table for me to look over & sign.
- Put away lunchbox dishes in the dishwasher.
- Wash their water bottle.
- Have a snack while we talk about their day.
Once this is done, there is homework to start or other chores to get done.
Sometimes friends come over & this routine gets thrown off a little. But, most days my children come home knowing these are the expectations.
Rather than setting up piano practice as a completely separate routine, link it to something your child already does on a regular basis.
What is something that happens in your home each day that your child is very familiar with?
- Before leaving for school
- After your child’s after-school snack
- While you are making dinner
- After dinner, before screentime
- Before bed
Make a Piano Practice Routine
Linking piano practice to an already existing routine is the first step. But, it can not stop there.
Expecting a child to remember he or she needs to practice on their own is not reasonable.
Even as adults we need reminders as we set up new routines. Even if it is a return to a routine after holidays.
So, why do we expect otherwise from our children?
Remind, Remind, Remind
While my children know what the after school routine is, there are things that routinely fall through the cracks if I do not remind them.
Putting away dishes & washing the water bottle are the two big ones. Partly because they are not fans of washing dishes & partly because it so much easier to leave everything either on the counter directly above the dishwasher or even better in the backpack. I have a feeling you can relate.
I have two choices:
- Clean up after my children.
- Remind them each & every day until they remember on their own.
As a couple, my husband & I have chosen the second option. We strongly believe that our children need to learn how to independently do things & a big part of being a family is working together to get things done around our home.
As a piano parent, your responsibility is training your child to make piano practice a regular part of their day.
In other words, you need to set up a piano practice routine for your child that works with your family’s schedule. And, then you need to make sure it happens.
If I ever find a way to make my children do a new routine perfectly the first time I tell them, don’t worry. I will be sure to let you know as well!
Us parents need to stick together.
Make a Piano Practice Routine
Linking piano practice to an already existing routine is the first step. But, it can not stop there.
Expecting a child to remember he or she needs to practice on their own is not reasonable.
Even as adults we need reminders as we set up new routines. Even if it is a return to a routine after holidays.
So, why do we expect otherwise from our children?
Remind, Remind, Remind
While my children know what the after school routine is, there are things that routinely fall through the cracks if I do not remind them.
Putting away dishes & washing the water bottle are the two big ones. Partly because they are not fans of washing dishes & partly because it so much easier to leave everything either on the counter directly above the dishwasher or even better in the backpack. I have a feeling you can relate.
I have two choices:
- Clean up after my children.
- Remind them each & every day until they remember on their own.
As a couple, my husband & I have chosen the second option. We strongly believe that our children need to learn how to independently do things & a big part of being a family is working together to get things done around our home.
As a piano parent, your responsibility is training your child to make piano practice a regular part of their day.
In other words, you need to set up a piano practice routine for your child that works with your family’s schedule. And, then you need to make sure it happens.
If I ever find a way to make my children do a new routine perfectly the first time I tell them, don’t worry. I will be sure to let you know as well!
Us parents need to stick together. So if you find the secret before I do, please let me know.
In the meantime, take heart in the fact that your children will eventually have a piano practice routine that is not guided by you.
How to Support Your Child
The last thing any of us want to do with our children is have a fight every time they need to do something.
A piano practice routine should not involved battle lines & you wondering if it will all be worth it.
For FIVE ways to support your child as you set up a piano practice routine without tears, click below!
