While initially your son or daughter seems really excited about learning music or the musical instrument you have purchased, the sad part is that this excitement does not last. In fact, after some time, your child simply does not feel like practising music. Here’s what you can do in such circumstances.
Effective Ways to Get your Kid to Practice Music
Encouraging kids to practice music can be a challenge, but with the right approach, it can become an enjoyable routine. For this, it does require a combination of creativity, patience, and positive reinforcement.
Make Music a Unique Subject
Considering that your child has to learn so many subjects in school from Mathematics to English and then there is Science and History, it is natural that he or she can find practising music an additional burden. However, you can turn around your child’s mindset by making music something that your child wants to pursue. You can do so by allowing him or her to play an instrument that he or she is really interested in as then it is no longer something forced on him or her.
Getting your kid to feel excited about the instrument he or she is playing is absolutely vital. If you find that is not happening it may be a sign that you need to change musical instruments. And while this might be expensive and also requires flexibility on your part, it will help match your child to the right musical instrument and keep him or her motivated to practice.
Let Your Child Feel in Control
It is often observed that when you tell someone to do something they might not want to do it. Think of your child in a similar fashion. He or she is constantly being told to do things by parents, teachers and older people. Do not add music to this list. Put your child in control by letting him or her decide the practice schedule as then he or she will more likely stick to it.
After the child has made this decision, the parent can guide the child on researching and figuring out the frequency with which a quality musician practices. This will teach your child the value of practice. Your role of course will be to reinforce this schedule and keep your child on target.
Enable Your Child to Value the Gift of Music
You can educate your child on the fact that learning to play a musical instrument is a privilege not available to everyone. He or she will eventually learn from you that music is a gift and can enhance lives and that of others in very many ways. Help your child develop a love for music. You can do so by taking him or her to shows, concerts or even by simply playing music at home. Teaching your kid to appreciate music is a great way to get him or her motivated to practice.
Do Not Make Practising Music an Obligation
While this seems counterintuitive it is not. If you reward your child with fun activities like playing video games or playing with friends only after he or she has practised music, it will seem like an obligation. Simultaneously your child will also see it as a less enjoyable activity compared to the fun stuff and will start dreading it.
Get Your Child to Perform and Plan Accordingly
Help your child to look at music like he or she would look at any other sport, hobby or endeavor. Make him or her keep a goal in mind when learning the instrument otherwise your kid might not understand the value of practice. That goal is making him or her perform throughout the year. This is the best way to keep your kid excited and engaged about music education. Children are naturally more motivated to practise if they know they will be performing in front of an audience.
Keep Cheering Your Child On
To keep your child motivated about music, let him or her know that you appreciate his or her music and are his or her biggest fan. This is essential especially during the initial days when your child might feel discouraged or frustrated. Experts suggest listening to your child when he or she plays at home and making remarks that are encouraging. If you take a keen interest in your kid’s musical journey he or she will be more inspired and want to show off his or her new skills in front of you.
Ultimately, the joy of making music should be the driving force behind their practice routine, allowing them to explore their talents and find their unique artistic voices.
