Do’s
Don’t’s
- Be available to help your child. Your teacher will always welcome you to attend the music lesson with your child. This will give you working knowledge of each assignment. It’s like two lessons for the price of one!
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Direct questions you have to teacher, if need be, during the lesson.
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Reward good practice habits. Be aware if your student is simply playing previous songs or is “working” on current assignments.
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Coach your children when it comes to the music and be careful not to police them.
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Discipline is not a bad word. The root of discipline is “to disciple”. That means to come along side of and show a better way. Not a shout from the other room.
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Have a sense of humor!
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Always communicate your pride in your child.
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Point out their achievements and successes
- Never belittle your child’s efforts.
- Never belittle your child’s efforts.
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Don’t instruct your child while teacher is there. Instead, tell your child they must listen to the teacher’s instruction.
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Don’t worry, don’t despair at temporary lapses in practice (or memory). Bribes may work during periods where high motivation is needed – however, they may also backfire on you. A time may come where your child reminds you of the promise you were not intending to keep.
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Do not threaten to stop music lessons if your child does not practice. This may feed their desire to quit and watch more T.V. or play more video games.
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Be careful to not criticize your child’s music performance/practice in the presence of others. Be careful to speak to your teacher privately should you wish to communicate criticism of your child to him/her.
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Your financial investment in your child’s musical training pays its dividends through the skills he/she develops over the years, not by the amount of songs or practice achieved.
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Don’t forget you are giving your child musical training for his/her personal growth as a musician/singer and development in: expression, self-worth, poise, character, beauty, maturity, self-control, efficient planning and much more!
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Don’t expect your child to be grateful for your sacrifices in the beginning. These revelations occur as each student matures.
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Don’t purchase a “toy” of “cheap” keyboard/ instrument and expect a long-term commitment from your child.
