5 tips for effective music practice for kids at home

Many children love to play the drums, piano, guitar or other instruments. They are excited when they start, but practice is hard and takes up playtime. Use the five tips below to help them stay on track:

If you are having a hard time getting your little one to practice, try offering a treat.

• Tell your child that if they practice every single day for a week without complaining, you will give them a reward.
• Some ideas include ice cream, a special DVD or a book they want.
• Mark off the days on the calendar when they practice without complaint, and reward them at the end of the week.

You have to makes sure that you child practices on a daily basis.

• Don't let them get into the habit of skipping a day here and there.
• It is important to set up a routine and let them know that, though you want this to be fun, you do expect them to take it seriously and practice the music regularly.
• Skipping a lesson here or there may seem inconsequential, but this may quickly become a habit that your child finds difficult to break.

You should keep sessions short when your child first starts practicing.

• You don't want to have them practicing two or three hours a day. A quarter hour or half hour per day should be enough to help them form a routine.
• Once the routine is established, lengthen the practice time as necessary.

The most helpful thing to do is create a comfortable practice area.

• Set up a room specifically for this purpose, if possible.
• If a room isn't available, make sure that the practice area is quiet with no disruptions.

Never make practice a punishment. The more you fuss at children about practicing, the more they will grow to hate it.

• Instead, try working with them and making it a game for both of you.

These are just a few tips to help your child practice the musical instrument they have chosen to play. Be encouraging, offer treats and make it enjoyable; soon, they will enjoy practicing on their own as well.