There are some days when your kids seem to do everything perfectly: they get up on their own, dress well, get back and do their homework without being told to do so, have a healthy meal and even get to their piano practice without being reminded a million of times. Well, sadly such days are extremely rare but seem like they should repeat themselves over and over again. If you are a parent, you know all of this. Beyond this dream is reality, and that is often the opposite of what every parent wants.
So, the question is what do you do to make your kid do all of this? Is it the stick method that you adopt or the carrot one? Well, to be honest, the stick approach might work well with homework and everything, but piano is an art where strictness does not generally work.
You cannot force your kid to love something and especially when that something is an art. What makes artists are their love for art, and as you know, that love cannot be forced, so try these friendly tricks to get your kids to learn piano.
Be Their Friend!
Well, gone are the old times when parents just held a stick in their hands and kids would do everything in fear. Modern times are here. Western culture has had its impact on everything, which also includes the upbringing of children. Parents do not feel okay anymore to hit their children or even scold them for something. Now, what they do to ensure that their kids do everything on time and do it with their heart, is being a friend to them. Now, whether it be helping your kids with homework or helping them learn the piano, friendly behavior works everywhere.
The best way a kid might do anything today is with their parents’ support. Do not just tell your kid straightforwardly that they need to learn something, especially an art. The piano is a musical instrument that spreads peace and your kids expect the same from you. Make them sit and understand how it would be so good for them if they knew how to play the piano. Tell them how people can be so relaxed with music around them. Let them know the importance of art in today’s world. In a nutshell, sit and be their friend.
Like the friend that knows how to make you understand something in the politest and coolest way possible, you should believe it as well. Kids today trust their friends more than their parents but only if their parents aren’t friendly enough. So, if you want your kids to understand what you are saying and why you want them to focus on piano lessons, make sure that you understand their behavior and emotions as well.
Team Up With Them for Some Piano Practice
If you are a piano player yourself, you would love this. You would know that sitting and playing with your kid is the ultimate pleasure, not just because it makes you happy, but it is important as well. If your kid gets you as an inspiration, there is nothing better than that. The first school a kid ever visits is his home and the teachers that teach him everything from walking to values are his parents and who better to teach them an art? People who are artists themselves often pass the talent on to their kids. If you believe that your kid might want to choose the same path, try being a partner to them for some lessons. They will not only love it but also learn a lot.
If you are a parent who is not really a pianist but fancies the instrument, and as such, wants their kids to learn this beautiful thing, you will have to put effort into it as well. It is not always how you treat your kid but also how you are with them during fun activities. When it comes to learning, kids surely learn the best from their parents. Even if you do not know much about the piano, just being with your children when they practice is often enough. A parent’s acknowledgment and encouragement is the biggest strength for any kid. So, if you want your kid to focus more on their lessons, try visiting them yourselves sometimes. You will surely notice a change.
Make Them Practice on a Regular Basis
A daily schedule is better for everybody, especially children. Just imagine yourselves getting up one day and not wishing to go to work. Now, imagine that happening more often. You would not only lose your job but your peace of mind. As a parent and an adult, you know what things need to be included in your day. Similarly, if your children start including piano practice in their daily routine, they will feel more enthusiastic and attracted to it. So, as a parent who would like their kid play the piano well, you should try your best to make a routine for them.
How do you do that? Again, try to make your children understand the beauty of this instrument and the music that takes form with it. Your children trust you the most and if you love this music, they are very likely to love it as well. Tell them the success stories of famous pianists and how their music is loved and adored by lots of people. Tell them how this art can build and shape their character.
The Carrot Approach Might Work as Well!
Though the reward system might not work well in the long run for kids at a tender age, kids are likely to adapt to things faster with rewards involved. Between the carrot and the stick approaches, the carrot approach will definitely work better for smoother piano practices. A little reward every time they do will better boost their confidence and encourage them to do better. Soon, your kid will know how to make people fall in love with music with a single key.
Conclusion
Now you know what you can do as a parent so your kid can handle their piano practices well. As a parent, you you’re your child shape their personality. Good luck with that and with making them fall in love with this beautiful instrument.
