Attend your child’s lessons consistently 
Participate in practicing and performing
Learning to play music is an extremely rewarding pursuit that can bring happiness and gratification for a lifetime. However, the first year or two of lessons, particularly for children, are very challenging. Many parents ask how they can help their kids through these early challenges.
The answer is simple: Become an involved music parent.
How do I get involved?
- Attend your child’s lessons. If it’s not realistic for you to attend all of the lessons, then try to commit to attending once or twice per month.
- Participate in the home practice. It’s easy (and understandable) to get frustrated and start ordering your child to “go practice”. Unfortunately, this rarely works out well. The best bet is to sit down and be present for some of their practice sessions. Think of yourself as the encouraging, positive coach. Cheering them on. Please read our article “Practicing for Beginners” for more practice ideas.
- Support Musical Ladder Goals. Make sure you touch base with your child’s teacher on a regular basis so that you are aware of what their next goal or challenge is, and when they are aiming to reach it.
- Participate in Recitals and recital preparation. Recitals are an awesome experience for students! Please make sure you are encouraging participate and make sure to bring your whole family and invite your friends to the big performance.
- Attend Music Concerts and listen to music together. Make music a shared experience and form bonds with your young music student by listening to music together, going to see live music performances and making music listening a part of your daily life.
- Communicate your needs with your teachers and our staff. We are here to help you! Please let us know any concerns or questions about literally anything involving your musical process. We will bend over backwards to make sure you keep playing and have fun doing so!
When parents attend lessons, provide positive encouragement during home practice, and generally get involved in this process, it sends a huge message to your child that music is now a part of their life, and practicing no longer seems so isolated or impossible to them.
Remember, “It takes a village”, and WE are here to help YOU!
