Enhancing your child's musical experience

Congratulations. Your decision to provide your child with a musical instrument is an investment in your child's future. In making it possible for your child to play a musical instrument, you are providing the opportunity for self-expression, creativity, and achievement. Numerous studies indicate that parental attitude, support and involvement are important factors in a child's ability to successfully learn to play and enjoy music.

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This section is designed to assist you in giving your child the best support possible for his or her musical endeavors. Like any skill, interest counts far more than talent. With the right support from you, playing music will become a natural part of your child's life.

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Benefits of music lessons for your child
Music participation enhances:

• Problem solving skills

• Teamwork

• Goal setting

• Self-expression

• Coordination

• Memory Skills

• Self-confidence and self-esteem

• Concentration

• Poise​

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Benefits of music lessons for your family

A child's music study also offers opportunities for shared family experiences, including:

• Musical event attendance 

• Family music-making

• Performing for, and with, family and friends

•  Learning about the lives of the composers and the cultural  heritage of Western Civilization 

• A sense of pride and accomplishment for the entire family

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How parents fit in

Keep in mind that your support is a key element in your child's success with music study.

Music achievement requires effort over a period of time. You can help your child by:

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• Scheduling practice times.

1. Provide a quiet place in which to practice.

2. Remain nearby during practice times, as often as possible

3. Schedule a consistent, daily time for practice.

4. Praise your child's efforts and achievements

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• Selecting a Music Teacher. ​Formal music instruction can help your child's progress. In choosing a teacher, consider these points:

1. ​Background and experience 

2. Comments from other parents and students. 

3. Provisions for sharing music through performance

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Dos and don'ts for parents

DO!

To give your child the best possible support:

• Encourage your child to play for family and friends.

• Offer compliments and encouragement regularly.

• Expose your child to a wide variety of music, including concerts, and recitals. 

• Encourage your child to talk with you about his or her lessons.

• Make sure your child's instrument is always in good working order.

• Allow your child to play many types of music, not just study pieces.

• Listen to your child practice, and acknowledge improvement

• Help your child build a personal music library

• Try to get your child to make a minimum two-year commitment to his or her musical studies.

DON'T!
Your child's progress will be greatly enhanced if you:

• Don't use practice as a punishment

• Don't insist your child play for others when they don't want to

• Don't ridicule or make fun of mistakes or less-than-perfect playing.

• Don't apologize to others for your child's weak performance

• Don't start your child on an instrument that's in poor working order or condition

• Don't expect rapid progress and development in the beginning

 

If your child loses interest

In the event your child loses interest in his or her music studies, don't panic.

• Discuss the situation with your child to determine why their interest is declining.

• Talk to your child's music teacher to see what might be done to rekindle their enthusiasm

• Encourage your child to stick with lessons for an agreed period of time

• Offer increased enthusiasm and support

 

 

Credits
This message has been developed by the following organizations in the interest of making music study and participation an enjoyable and richly rewarding experience for children and their families.

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American Music Conference
303 East Wacker Drive, Suite 121
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 856-8820

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Music Educators National Conference 
1902 Association Drive
Reston, VA 22091
(703) 860-4000

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Music Teachers National Association
617 Vine St., Suite 1432
Cincinnati, OH 45202-2434
(513) 421-1420

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National Association Music Merchants
5140 Avenida Encinas
Carlsbad, CA 92008-4391
(619) 438-8001

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