7  ways parents can help with piano lessons

I admit that I am a strict and demanding teacher. I  encourage all parents of my students to be serious about their kids’ piano study. The children who have caring but firm parents progress more rapidly.

Before taking the new piano students, I “warn” the parents that they are responsible for their children’s music education until they turn 18. Hearing that, new parents laugh, but with a heavy sigh, they wholeheartedly agree.

7 ways parents can help with piano lessons 

1. Parents should encourage their children to practice.

It is said that the practice is a repetition of an action with the goal of improvement. It applies to anything: musical instruments, sports, yoga, etc. Parents must keep checking on work in progress between lessons.

I explain to parents that very young children (ages 5-6) need to practice just 10 minutes a day. Gradually this time should be increased. I emphasize that it is easier if practice occurs at a specific time of the day. For instance, It can be done 30 minutes before dinner time. For some families, It might be more convenient if a student practices right after school. It is the parents’ job to set up the practice schedule.

2. To understand the teacher’s instructions better, parents can start learning the piano too.  

In a few months, the parents might fall behind, but seeing them trying will tremendously help their child.

3. Parents should take seriously their children’s wish to discontinue lessons and do everything possible to prevent it.

Every child (even a gifted one who loves playing the piano) reaches the point when the compositions get much more challenging and require more practice. This is the time when kids might decide to stop lessons. 

The best way for parents to resolve this problem is to talk to the teacher. An experienced educator might design a different program for the student. A child might be assigned more manageable pieces, at least for a short time. It will help the child to get over this hurdle and continue with music lessons.

4. Parents of “piano kids” should be careful about allowing their children to choose too many other activities.

There are numerous distractions when a child gets older: sports, dance, or art classes. I suggest to parents limiting the activities to two per week. One should be physical (soccer, baseball, tennis, etc.), another – intellectual (music, chess, art).

5. Parents should always be upbeat and happy talking about piano lessons.

Often parents brag to other people about their child’s success in sports. Such boasting encourages children to get better in their athletic activities. However, adults boast about their child’s progress in music very rarely.

It would be very beneficial for the child if his mom or dad “brags” to other adults about their child’s piano achievement within this kids’ earshot.

6. Parents need to sit in their child’s piano lesson.

I insist that each parent of my piano students is present during the class. Only the teenage students’ parents are off the hook, though I remind them that their presence is always welcome.

Having one of the adults in the room show children that their parents really care about music and want them to be good students.

I make sure that parents and children do not have eye contact during the lesson. I place a chair for mom or dad several feet behind the child. During the class, parents shouldn’t be talking to their child, praising or scolding him.

Their job is just to sit quietly and listen. This way, a child can concentrate on the study, and a parent can quietly watch and learn at the same time.

Many parents check their phone or read a book. But while reading or checking their emails, adults still have to pay attention to how their child plays his pieces.

7. Parents have to know a home assignment.

The 6 or 7-year-olds can not remember their piano homework well, but parents can.

That is why, at the end of the class, I remind parents to put their “entertainment” aside and listen carefully to a home assignment. Also, I want them to understand how their child should practice the piano.

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I understand that there might be different opinions on the above matter. However, judging by my personal experience of teaching hundreds of piano students, I insist that parents’ participation is essential.

In addition to my suggestions, parent participation may include many more ways for parents to help their children with piano lessons. For example, they may reward kids for effort and achievements, or arrange regular performances for family members and friends.