A Parent’s Guide to Enhancing Your Child’s Musical Experiences
CONGRATULATIONS!
Your decision to provide your child with a quality musical instrument is an investment in your child’s future. In making it possible for your child to play a musical instrument, you are providing the opportunity for self-expression, creativity and achievement. Numerous studies indicate that parental attitude, support and involvement are important factors in a child’s ability to successfully learn to play and enjoy music. These guidelines are designed to assist you in giving your child the best support possible for his or her musical endeavors. Like any skill, interest counts far more than talent. With strong support from you, playing music will be a natural part of your child’s life.
BENEFITS...
For Your Child
Music participation enhances:
· Problem-Solving
· Teamwork
· Goal-Setting
· Self-expression
· Physical Coordination
· Delayed Gratification
· Memory Skills
· Self-confidence and esteem
· Concentration
· Poise
· Simultaneous use of both sides of the brain
· Attention to details
For Your Family
A child’s music study also offers opportunities for shared family experiences, including:
· Musical event attendance
· Family music-making
· Performing for, and with, family and friends
· Learning about the lives of composers and the cultural heritage of many civilizations
· A sense of accomplishment and pride for the entire family.
HOW YOU FIT IN: Always keep in mind that your support is an essential element in your child’s success with music study.
Schedule Practice Times
Music achievement requires effort over a period of time. The time in lessons and band rehearsals is limited. New concepts learned at school need daily personal practice time by your child in order for these new skills to be developed. You can help your child by:
· Providing a quiet place in which to practice (a bedroom or unused living area)
· Remaining nearby during practice times as often as possible (children love to play for you!)
· Scheduling a consistent daily time for practice (incorporate this into your child's after-school
schedule)
· Praising your child’s efforts and achievements (saying: "play that song for me again - I like how you
sound on it", rather than: "get to your room and practice!" has an enormous effect on a child.
WHAT TO DO: To give your child the best possible support, you should:
· Remind your child to bring instrument and music to school on lesson and band days
· Encourage your child to play for family and friends, but do not force
· Offer compliments and encouragement regularly
· Expose your child to a wide variety of music, including concerts and recitals
· Encourage your child to talk to you about lessons
· Make sure your child’s instrument is well maintained
· Listen to your child practice, and acknowledge improvement
· Help your child build a personal music library
· Encourage your child to make a commitment to his or her music studies
· Get to know your child’s teacher.
WHAT TO AVOID
· Using practice as punishment
· Insisting your child play for others when he/she doesn’t want to
· Ridiculing or making fun of mistakes of less-than-perfect playing
· Apologizing to others for your child’s weak performance.
TO MAINTAIN YOUR CHILD’S INTEREST
· Talk with your child if his or her interest begins to decline
· Discuss with the band teacher ways to maintain your child’s enthusiasm for playing
· Increase your enthusiasm and involvement in your child’s playing.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Your decision to provide your child with a quality musical instrument is an investment in your child’s future. In making it possible for your child to play a musical instrument, you are providing the opportunity for self-expression, creativity and achievement. Numerous studies indicate that parental attitude, support and involvement are important factors in a child’s ability to successfully learn to play and enjoy music. These guidelines are designed to assist you in giving your child the best support possible for his or her musical endeavors. Like any skill, interest counts far more than talent. With strong support from you, playing music will be a natural part of your child’s life.
BENEFITS...
For Your Child
Music participation enhances:
· Problem-Solving
· Teamwork
· Goal-Setting
· Self-expression
· Physical Coordination
· Delayed Gratification
· Memory Skills
· Self-confidence and esteem
· Concentration
· Poise
· Simultaneous use of both sides of the brain
· Attention to details
For Your Family
A child’s music study also offers opportunities for shared family experiences, including:
· Musical event attendance
· Family music-making
· Performing for, and with, family and friends
· Learning about the lives of composers and the cultural heritage of many civilizations
· A sense of accomplishment and pride for the entire family.
HOW YOU FIT IN: Always keep in mind that your support is an essential element in your child’s success with music study.
Schedule Practice Times
Music achievement requires effort over a period of time. The time in lessons and band rehearsals is limited. New concepts learned at school need daily personal practice time by your child in order for these new skills to be developed. You can help your child by:
· Providing a quiet place in which to practice (a bedroom or unused living area)
· Remaining nearby during practice times as often as possible (children love to play for you!)
· Scheduling a consistent daily time for practice (incorporate this into your child's after-school
schedule)
· Praising your child’s efforts and achievements (saying: "play that song for me again - I like how you
sound on it", rather than: "get to your room and practice!" has an enormous effect on a child.
WHAT TO DO: To give your child the best possible support, you should:
· Remind your child to bring instrument and music to school on lesson and band days
· Encourage your child to play for family and friends, but do not force
· Offer compliments and encouragement regularly
· Expose your child to a wide variety of music, including concerts and recitals
· Encourage your child to talk to you about lessons
· Make sure your child’s instrument is well maintained
· Listen to your child practice, and acknowledge improvement
· Help your child build a personal music library
· Encourage your child to make a commitment to his or her music studies
· Get to know your child’s teacher.
WHAT TO AVOID
· Using practice as punishment
· Insisting your child play for others when he/she doesn’t want to
· Ridiculing or making fun of mistakes of less-than-perfect playing
· Apologizing to others for your child’s weak performance.
TO MAINTAIN YOUR CHILD’S INTEREST
· Talk with your child if his or her interest begins to decline
· Discuss with the band teacher ways to maintain your child’s enthusiasm for playing
· Increase your enthusiasm and involvement in your child’s playing.