Learn 3 things that make practicing consistent fun and motivating for your child!
Has your child said, “Mom, can we do this all week?” when practicing violin? Learn 3 things that make practicing consistent fun and motivating for your child!
I want to honor you for being here! Thank you for taking the time to learn about ways that you can help encourage your child to practice violin. If you have been here before, you know that I love to spread the goodness of music and want to help children to learn the violin, while also building confidence and learning skills in all areas of life to help them become a leader. We also know that learning violin can help to ‘train the brain’ which helps with overall academic achievement.
Now, we know that there are so many benefits to learning music and practicing violin, BUT have you ever been getting ready for bed and think, “Oh shoot, it’s 10pm and we forgot to practice again!?” Well, here are 3 things that will help you to build consistency to ensure regular violin practice.
#1 - Choose a time “Create a Time to Practice”
This sounds simple and pretty basic, BUT it can be really difficult to follow through with - we’re all busy and have lots of things to do. So, if you schedule practice into your day - along with other fixed activities, such as baseball practice - then you will be sure to follow through with it.
When you’re thinking of times to schedule in practice, try to pick a time that works for both you and your child! This way you’re creating a time to connect with your child, while they’re also learning violin - now that’s efficient!
Pro Tip: Try to get a bit of practice done BEFORE noon - even if it’s just a little bit! Little bits of practice add up and this way you’re getting things done before the day gets really busy!
Now here’s something you can try right now: if you have a piece of paper beside you, take a moment to consider “What time would be the best for practicing violin to happen?” - this doesn’t have to be perfect and can be changed later on, but this will get you thinking!
Post-It Notes are small, colorful, and fun. They can be kept on hand so that if you have an idea, you can quickly write it down. Sit down with your child and come up with a time to practice together!
#2 - Choose a plan
Where do you want to be in 5 years? Why are we doing this? We have a plan as we walk through life, and practicing violin should be no different!
During the COVID Pandemic, progressing with music lessons has been difficult! But, we can learn from my teenage daughter: she got together with her violin friends and would create Zoom practice sessions. They would decide when to get together and how long to practice - they created a plan AND had accountability. This meant that they got their practicing done, while also interacting with their friends and having fun. This is golden, and actually backed up by science!
When we have a plan, we have clarity. When we have clarity, there is less disparity.
A research study done in 2015 by the American Association of Talent Development discovered that only having an idea or goal only has a 10% chance of following through. However, if you decide on when you’re going to do it and create a plan, that goes up to 50% that you’ll complete it. Now let's add another element: if you have a specific accountability appointment with someone, you’re now up to a 95% chance you’ll follow through. This is a HUGE increase! That is why we include accountability lesson times in the violin practice partner program because they help your child stay on track and motivated with our virtual program.
If students know what they’re going to do, then the motivation, success, and attitude increase. We can help to create clarity for our children - have them sit down with you to help write down the plan to increase their involvement.
The Violin Practice Partner app creates a clear “How To” and “What to Do,” which takes the guesswork out of practice, which frees up more time for other things - this includes lesson greetings, bow exercise, left-hand warm-ups, scales, and music theory. There is still a bit of planning to figure out WHEN to practice, but when you’re in the app the WHAT to practice is taken care of.
#3 - Choose a goal/purpose for that practice time
Have you ever heard your child say “Mom, can we do this all week!?” - I did and it was because I created a time to practice, a plan for what to practice, and a goal and purpose for that practice time.
Last week, my 8-year-old son was having difficulty with practicing the violin. We were meant to be working on learning the E-String Pathway straight down the center. It was close to St. Patrick’s day, so I collected a bowl filled with Lucky Charms cereal and golden coins - as he was able to achieve the purpose during practice, he would start to collect items from the bowl. It was so simple, but it was fun and motivating!
Where there is purpose, there is progress. When there is progress, there is success!
When we have a purpose, our brain starts to create a ‘how’ - a way to achieve it. I was in a workshop where a fabulous Ivy League Success Coach named Steve Gardner shared this with me when talking about creating a goal: “It would be cool if (fill in the blank).” When we take the time to create a goal that’s a bit out of reach, we open the mind to possibility - this means that often we can achieve and exceed our goals. Dreaming can be so fun.
When there is purpose, there is progress. When there is progress, there is success - we build our confidence with progress and success, which means that our motivation increases! Our purpose brings motivation and direction!
I know that practicing can be tricky, which is why I’ve created my free guide with 7 strategies that make it easier for you to motivate your child to practice the violin. If you’re interested in that, then please go to our site HERE and you’ll be able to access it there.
Just like we appreciate Toilet Paper with the COVID pandemic, we can appreciate TPP when practicing - Time, Plan, and Purpose.
You are significant, for just being you!
Keep Spreading the goodness of music!
Melodie
