Creative Practice Time

Although there are volumes written on the topic of music practice, this blog post will focus on creative time management. Many families who have children taking music lessons struggle with “finding the time” to get the practice done. Since we can’t create extra time, we can learn to be creative in using the time we have available.

Place Value on Music at Home

We naturally gravitate toward activities we value. If we value having a roof over our heads, we will go to work. Perhaps we value sports. We might go to sporting events, watch them on our screens or enroll our children in youth sports. The same is true with music. Parents can show that they value music by listening to their favorite genres and sharing the music with their children. Movies, TV or streaming programs, and commercials are rich with musical content to create mood and move the action along. Pay attention to this and point it out to your children. Go to local theatre productions, music festivals and concerts to enjoy live music. You are most likely doing these things already. It just takes a sprinkle of creativity to call your child’s attention to the music.

Time Pockets

Family life is busy from start to finish but if your child’s instrument is set up and ready to practice, you can look for pockets of time. This takes creativity and planning. Think through each day’s routine, looking for 10 – 20 minute chunks of time. Mornings are often overlooked but perhaps your child could practice for 10 minutes instead of playing or looking at screens. Even drive time can be used as practice time by having your child listen to recordings of the pieces they are working on, doing music flashcards, or theory homework while in the car. Perhaps you can find another 10- 20 minutes while waiting for dinner or before bedtime. The key is to break out of the mindset that music practice must be long and boring. Make it fun and a part of every day life!

Reward Your Child with Your Time

Remember when your children were young and they sat near you as you read them stories? This time of closeness and sharing can be brought into your child’s world of music practice. Plan a regular time to sit with your child during their music practice. It can be every day or once a week but be consistent. Allow this to be a time to enjoy their musical work, wherever they are in the process. Set aside the temptation to “parent” their music practice and simply be there in the moment. Let them choose what they want to share with you and join them in their present experience. It may be something new that is not yet refined. That’s ok, they are working on it. Or, they may play you something that has really come together and you can hear the musical development. This is the process of creating music. Enjoy it with your child.

Conclusion

One of the greatest obstacles to your child’s success with their music lessons is the practice factor. Developing consistent, creative routines that work with your family lifestyle will impact your child’s musical development in a big way.