How To Help Your Child Practice With These Free Printable Prompt cards!
Parents, pupils and teachers all know that in order to make good progress, regular and effective practice is vital. But some Mums and Dads don’t have any musical experience to draw on, and find the whole prospect of practice routines a little daunting. They do want to support their child, but often they are afraid that they might be more confusing than helpful, or just don’t know what to say.
So I’ve made a set of practice prompt cards for parents, to help everyone get the most out of practice time. This will maximise progress, without causing any tensions and even having some fun together along the way.
When learning something new, it’s often difficult to get started, but the Practice Prompt Cards do that for you. They break down the learning process into a series of tasks that seem more manageable, both identifying and strengthening the weak spots. You will soon find that with this extra attention to detail, your child will begin to overcome any difficulties. Resulting in such a positive effect on confidence and overall enjoyment that you won’t be able to stop them playing!
How To Help Your Child Practice
- Download your practice prompt cards using the link below, laminate them and cut them out. We have also included a sheet of blank cards, so you can add your own questions, and maybe one or two fun ones like “Can you play the first 4 bars standing on one leg?”
- Agree with your child when would be a good time for a regular practice slot. Make sure it’s a time when they aren’t tired or hungry, and that they will be free from background distractions.
- Use a practice diary every time, this serves as an excellent reference and is very helpful for everyone concerned. Make a note of the task completed and whether they have experienced any problems. Ask your child if they would like to add any comments, as often questions for the teacher can be easily forgotten during the week between lessons. Try to make the comments constructive and always find something positive to say.
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Download your PRACTICE PROMPTS FOR PARENTS,
- Sit with your child for the first few minutes of each practice session, and get them started. Younger children will need the most help, but with older children, try to help them build up their independence and once they have settled into it, leave them to complete some of the task on their own.
- Don’t try to achieve too much each time, especially when they are learning a new piece. It’s best to take it slowly, and only attempt small sections at first, building it up gradually, until they can play the piece with ease.
- Choose a different task each time. If they find that one easy, then move on to the next one. If they found it too difficult, allow plenty of time to have a good attempt, and then make a note of what they find hard to do, so that the teacher can help in the next lesson.
- Try to emphasise that if they can’t do something, it’s not a bad thing, it’s good to find out exactly what the problem is, so that the teacher can sort it out in the lesson.
- Finally, try to give lots of encouragement and praise, and you will find that this shared time together can be very bonding.
Check out How To Teach Your Child To Practice and 10 Ways To Motivate Piano Beginners for more support with beginners piano practice.
She 9 and want to learn so here we go!
I think that it’s more important to try to make your child to want to learn. The rest comes by itself 🙂
Very true John, encouragement and motivation is so important!