Playing For Keeps: How To Prevent Your Child From Being A Piano School Dropout

The enrollment forms for the piano school are completed, and the new piano is scheduled to arrive at your front door soon. Your child is excited to embark on a new musical adventure, and you may have dreams of your child becoming the next Chopin or Beethoven. What could possibly go wrong?

Your child is not interested in the piano

It's not uncommon for enthusiastic parents to enroll their child in piano lessons for the wrong reasons. Perhaps the parent always wanted to learn to play as a child and never had the opportunity. Other parents may feel obligated to have their child do something musically because of all the positive benefits a music curriculum provides.

While some children may learn to develop a love of the piano after they take classes, some won't. If your child shows an interest in the piano and music in general, they are more likely to follow through with a program and not lose interest.

Your child's schedule is overwhelming

While young children are known to have a huge supply of natural energy, they can get exhausted if they rarely have any down time. If your child has a full day of school, an hour of homework, and another hour of soccer practice before piano lessons, it's a recipe for burnout.

Take an honest look at your child's schedule. Try to schedule piano lessons during a time when your child is not overwhelmed by other activities. Check to see if Saturday or Sunday classes are available during the school year.

Consider eliminating sports or other extracurricular activities from your child's schedule to allow them the time to learn and practice the piano. Your child does not have to do it all. It's better if their focus is on one or two activities they enjoy.

You don't expect enough from your child

As a parent, you've probably heard you shouldn't push your child when it comes to music lessons. However, there is a difference between pushing and setting necessary guidelines. You should schedule specific practice times for your child and expect them to stick with it. This teaches them responsibility.

Regular practice sessions will also help your child grow in confidence as they master new techniques. A child who rarely practices is likely to grow bored, because they are not feeling challenged. Research some famous musicians and share their stories with your child. You will find plenty of examples regarding the importance of practicing and how it is vital to success in all art forms.

While there are never any guarantees your child will follow through with learning to play the piano, there are a few things you can do to prevent your child from becoming a piano school dropout. Make sure your child is truly interested in piano lessons. Take stock of their current schedule and make necessary adjustments. Be an encourager, and expect your child to practice on a consistent basis. You never know who the next famous piano player may be.