How Can I Motivate My Child to Practice?

The question at Muso Method is always - how to make practice fun but still achieve high standards. Hence our philosophy, making classical music pedagogy fun and serious.

Motivating a child to practice can indeed be a challenge, but with the right Muso Method strategies, you can create a positive and encouraging environment that fosters their interest and commitment. Here are some effective ways to motivate your child to practice:

1. Strategic Planning is Key: Set Achievable (Realistic) Goals

Establish clear, attainable goals for your child. This, of course, is very much impacted by what music teacher you have. At Muso Method, part of the pedagogy includes training Muso Method teachers to be strategic planners.

Muso Method teachers are trained to also communicate this plan with the parents/students.

Achieving realistic daily goals involves specifying the piece you want to learn by breaking it down into manageable sections, such as practicing every 2 to 4 bars '5 times rule' or with separate hands if you are learning piano.

Muso Method '5 time rule' is a method for learning or drilling new concepts.  

This approach allows for cumulative progress each day. In contrast, a disorganized music teacher might simply suggest, "play on the instrument for 10 minutes a day," without providing clear guidance on what to practice. This raises the question: what exactly should you be focusing on during those practice sessions?

To make your practice more effective, your Muso Method teacher should/tell you to:

• Break Down Pieces: Focus on learning small sections of a piece, such as 2 to 4 bars at a time. This makes it easier to master each part before moving on to the next. E.g. Day 1 - first four bars LH RH BH 5x, Day 2 - next four bars LH RH BH 5x & then revise everything you've learnt so far 3x.

• Separate Hands Practice (Piano only): Practice each hand separately to build confidence and accuracy before combining them. 

• Set Specific Goals: Instead of vague instructions, set specific goals for each practice session, such as mastering a particular section or improving a specific technique.

• Track Progress: Buy our Muso Practice Diary to track & color you worked on each day. This helps kids stay focused and gain self-awareness of their practice, in contrast to kids who don't even know their piece name or composers.

• Incorporate GAMES: Include different ways of making the '5 time rule' fun, such as catching soft toys, the 'panda crossing the river' game, throwing hoops, thumb war. Follow www.musomethod.app for more video ideas.

2. Confidence is Key: Celebrate Small Successes

Recognize and celebrate your child's achievements, no matter how small. Whether it's mastering a new piece or improving their technique, acknowledging their progress can reinforce their efforts and encourage them to keep going.

Parents should:

• Offer high fives
• Over dramatise 'correct notes' or 'correct music fundamentals'
• Not over dramatise 'wrong notes' or 'mistakes' and instead say 'whoops'
• Not focus on perfection, but progress (the first few times of the Muso Method '5 Time Rule' is NOT going to be perfect!)
• Be their cheerleader and simply 'check in' on their homework
• Not become the kids' practice teacher (do not give them answers to note reading, fix fingering)
• Attend all performances

3. Performance is Key: Specify the Purpose of the Piece

Is this musical exercise or piece for improving finger muscles? Bowing technique?

Would we use this piece in competition/performance? Or is it just for learning?

Muso Method always prioritises performance over exams or 'corner learning'. Corner learning is learning a subject in the corner for no real purpose. In classical music, this is a very big problem which leads to boredom as it's not a team sport. But it's like ballet - the purpose is to perform on stage. You never learnt ballet and don't perform!

4. Routine is Key

Establish a consistent practice schedule that fits into your child's daily routine. Consistency helps children develop a habit of practicing, making it feel like a normal part of their day rather than a chore.

5. Involvement is Key: Parents, Put Your Phone Away! (Unless it is to Film)

Show interest in your child's practice by participating in lessons, observing the teacher and watching diligently to all classical music performances (not just your child). Ask them about what they are learning and express enthusiasm for their progress. Your involvement can make them feel supported and motivated to practice more.

7. Self-Motivation is also Key: Allow for Autonomy

Give your child some control over their practice. Allow them to choose pieces they want to learn or set their own practice goals. When children feel a sense of ownership over their learning, they are more likely to stay engaged and motivated.

Conclusion

Motivating a child to practice requires patience and creativity. By setting achievable goals, celebrating successes, incorporating fun, and providing a supportive environment, you can help your child develop a love for practice that lasts a lifetime.

We strongly recommend purchasing our Muso Practice Diaries - piano version and instrumentalist version - targeting junior grades, busy city kids with lots of traffic, kids with focus issues or slow traits.

To inspire your kids to practice with Muso Flash Cards, explore our Muso Method Active Recall Concepts. Visit us at www.musomethod.app

Kindest