Motivate Your Child in Beginning Piano Lessons
If your child is beginning to learn how to play piano, we have some advice for you to help your child for the first few weeks. Ask yourself first if your child truly desires piano lessons. Or are you sadly misguided because you, as a parent wanted to become a pianist years ago or is it because children from friends or relatives are gifted students?
Don’t attempt to make your child to take piano lessons just because as a parent it is the correct thing to do. When it comes down to it, it will be a difficult struggle if you make your child do it anyway. Think about it: most teachers don’t enjoy working with someone who feels bored, sleepy, or angry because they don’t want to be at the lessons.
If your child has a fascination or interest in piano, this is a great way to start. One way to introduce your child to piano is to get them in a low-key way to hear yourself or a talented relative play occasionally or casually so that they get familiar with the instrument. After that, the child may want to experiment with the piano itself.
Try to persuade your child to make up some songs or play something by ear on the keyboard or piano. They also should be told that the instrument never should be treated roughly like an old toy, and needs to be handled with consideration. Your child should also be told that piano lessons are a special gift, as many people cannot afford to pay for lessons for their own children so that it should never be taken for granted.
Your next step is to track down a good piano instructor (by referral, if possible) that wants to instruct your son or daughter. A few teachers may take younger children around five years old, but most have a preference for eight year olds as they have a larger hand span, better motor and reading aptitude, and a larger intellectual capacity than a younger child. If you get a change to interview a teacher, ask them about their teaching methods and philosophy, and if they have much experience with young children and if they believe in offering incentives to motivate them.
After you sign your child up with a teacher, try to sit in on the first few lessons so you can make sure if your child is understanding the concepts and is enjoying the lessons. You can also use the lesson as a time to learn piano yourself by watching, and this will help you later if your child has questions during practice time. Later at home, you can also sit in on the practice session to make sure your child plays the assigned pieces, and later you can purchase learning tools such as music software that will help with note reading and playing rhythms correctly.
You can reward your child with little stickers on your own for each piece passed by the teacher. Some parents get creative and set goals for the child, so that they work toward earning a toy, book, or an ice cream or anything they like. Children love to be reward, and goals are a good way to get started.
Keep in mind that children love to be recognized and feel special, and giving performances at home for the family is a great opportunity for them. You will be lucky if you have a teacher who gives some praise and support in the lessons, as some children can be easily hurt by irritable, strict instructors. If you want a child that is inspired, treat them in a constructive, helpful, and pleasant way as the road to becoming a good musician will take a few months to years.

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