Prioritizing Music Practice with a Busy Schedule

As a parent, you want your children to get the most out of their music lessons, which means consistent music practice. However, with busy schedules, it can be a challenging task to prioritize music practice. It is essential to have a plan or routine in place that ensures your child has enough time to practice, while also allowing them to participate in other activities and have downtime.

We’ve put together some tips for how make music practice a priority in your child’s busy schedule:

1. Set a Schedule

Following a schedule, as much as you can, is the best way to ensure your child gets the necessary time to practice music. Having a set time for practicing each day will help embed a routine and you’ll find that you no longer have to remind your child to practice.

2. Break it up into Small Sessions

It’s easier for children to focus when practice is broken up into smaller sessions. Instead of one long practice session, break it up into two or three shorter sessions throughout the day – even 10 minutes will suffice! This will allow your child to concentrate better during practice, and they will be less likely to become bored or frustrated.

3. Set Goals

Setting goals is a great way to maintain consistent motivation for practice. These goals can be short-term or long-term, and they should be achievable and exciting for your child. Encourage your child to write down their goals and track their progress on their own. This will help them gain independence over the practice and feel a sense of accomplishment when they reach their goals.

4. Encourage Independence

As your child gets older, encourage them to become more independent in their music practice. This may mean allowing them to practice on their own without your supervision and set their own goals, as previously mentioned. This will help them develop a sense of responsibility and pride over their music practice.

5. Use Technology

Technology can be a useful tool for prioritizing music practice. There are many apps and online resources available that can help your child stay organized and motivated. For example, Practice Space is a great app for tracking practice, homework, and setting goals. Teachers can even upload multimedia files into your child’s assignments so that there’s no confusion on what to practice. Ask your teachers about Practice Space!

6. Incorporate Music into Daily Life

Your child’s exposure to music doesn’t have to be limited to practice sessions. You can incorporate music into your child’s daily life by playing music in the car or throughout the house. This will help your child develop a love for music and may inspire them to keep music in their life.

7. Find a Practice Buddy or Audience Member

Practicing with a friend or family member can make music practice more fun and motivating. Assist your child in finding a practice buddy who plays the same instrument or who enjoys playing music in general. They can practice together and motivate each other to improve. If you can’t find a practice buddy, provide your child with a family member or friend who can act as an audience member. When your child finishes learning a piece they are proud of, it can be extra motivating to perform it for someone close to them.

8. Be Flexible

While it’s important to have a schedule in place, it’s just as important to be flexible. There may be times when your child’s schedule changes, and they can’t practice as much as they usually do. Instead of becoming frustrated, be flexible and adjust the schedule as needed. Remember that music practice should be enjoyable and sometimes challenging, but not stressful. If your child becomes overwhelmed, don’t hesitate, to ask their teacher to lessen the workload for a few weeks until your schedule gets back on track.

9. Check In

It’s essential to check in with your children about what gets them excited about music lessons. Encouraging your children to speak positively about their activities will manifest into engagement and motivation during music practice and lessons! Having these conversations will also remind your children that this is meant to be an uplifting experience for them.

10. Celebrate Success

Finally, it’s imperative to celebrate your child’s success. Whether it’s mastering a new piece of music or achieving a short-term goal, make sure to acknowledge and celebrate your children’s accomplishments. This will help them stay motivated and feel proud of their achievements. Plus, it’ll remind them that you are on their side when it comes to music practice!

Prioritizing music practice with a busy schedule requires a plan and commitment. We hope these tips were helpful to you and your children and we encourage you to be creative when it comes to the challenge of prioritizing music lessons and practice.

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