Parents are the full-time teachers of their children’s lives, often having to teach 10 different things in 10 minutes to them!
Despite how qualified the teachers in school or extra classes might be, children spend a very small time with the teachers when compared to the time they spend with their parents. Especially a subject like music needs consistent and frequent practice, which fall into the hands of parents. This makes the role of parents quite important in the improvement of their children’s music skills until they come to an age where they have the passion and the capability to take the initiative and practice on their own.
Discipline
Many parents are aware that they need to be involved, but are quite often uncertain about what kind of role they should play. First and foremost, as parents, you need to help your kids to develop the kind of discipline that is required to play an instrument. Even though many children truly enjoy the practicing process, they lack the focus and the discipline that it requires. Here, as the parent, you can get involved and help them consistently do it by setting up a time for it and ideally you being present while they practice.
Being present
In the first stages, you will need to be there in the music practices of your little one to make sure they are following the lessons and the extra practice sessions assigned to them by the teacher. It will be a great relaxing time for you too. Sit down with your child near the piano and make it a bonding session and an opportunity to have some special quality time with your child. Without taking it as a duty, get involved and try to enjoy the music practice with them. This will surely reflect on them and they will start enjoying the practice more.
Offer Compliments
When you learn any instrument, there is a certain validation everybody, especially children requires to continue doing it. As the parent, you can always give them compliments when they are due and encourage them to keep on practicing to get even better. There is no higher compliment for them other than their beloved parents noticing their effort and improvements. Therefore, do not hesitate to give it whenever possible.
Communication
Last but not least, as in anywhere else, you should be the communication channel about your child’s practice and improvements with the teacher. The expression levels of children are not very vast, and by being involved in their practice sessions, you can communicate to the teacher the things that your child is not able to say about the parts that they need more help in.
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