9 Tips to Help Kids Learn a Musical Instrument the Right Way
Music will strengthen your child's hand-eye coordination and, most importantly, find a new passion. Keeping reading to discover our top nine tips!
Learning a musical instrument is something that can stay with you for the rest of your life. It doesn’t matter if you give up or stop playing; the experience will always be there. If you have kids who are interested in learning to play an instrument, it could be an amazing experience for them, both personally as well as socially.
There are so many benefits to learning an instrument! Your child will strengthen their hand-eye coordination, increase their memory and concentration skills, develop greater listening abilities, and, most importantly, find a new passion. Keeping reading to discover our top ten tips on how to help kids learn a musical instrument.
1. Choose the Right Instrument
Will your child be a violinist or a drummer? What instrument will best suit their personality, learning style, and long-term goals? This is a big decision and one that should be heavily considered. If your child is still young, you may want to start with something like the piano, which allows you to introduce basic chords and music theory. There are so many instruments out there, and each has its own unique properties. Experiment with a few and see which one best speaks to your child.
Once you’ve narrowed down the field a bit, consider some of the long-term implications, as well as the short-term learning curve. Many kids want to learn the drums, but that can be a very demanding, full-body instrument. It can be hard for a child, especially with poor hand coordination, to get a handle on it and for parents to get enough practice in with them. Other instruments, like the violin, may take a long time to develop good proficiency but has a lower physical demand on the student.
2. Create a Comfortable Learning Environment
This should be a fun and positive environment. Make sure your child’s instrument is in a place where they can easily access it and practice. You can also use this as an opportunity to spruce up a room that is often forgotten. Try incorporating visuals like posters or artwork or adding some plants to create a more comfortable and creative space.
If space is an issue, you can also try other ways to make the room more comfortable. Play soothing music, put up a blackout curtain, or use a small humidifier to create a creative, calming environment. Having all the materials within reach, a place to read music comfortably, and a place to play, is essential to a child’s success.
3. Have Clear Communication and Expectations
Make sure that you, as a parent, are able to communicate expectations consistently and clearly. You want your child to know how much time they should be spending on their instrument each day, approximately how long it will take to learn a certain piece, and what is expected of them during each lesson. Make sure that both you and your child understand what is expected of each other, and make it a two-way street.
Kids thrive on structure and predictable routines, so enforcing rules such as “no screen time” until their instrument is done for the day can help with motivation and consistency. It can also be helpful for parents to set boundaries as well, by insisting that there be a specific time each day when the instrument is done. This can be extremely helpful if your child is still learning to read music.
4. Make Music Fun
Music doesn’t have to feel like a chore, especially if your child is just starting out. You can try incorporating music while doing other things. You can also try making silly music videos with your child. This can help make it more of a creative outlet, which will hopefully make practicing more fun. If your child is still young and not reading music yet, you can make up simple songs or play games to engage their creativity, as well as help them remember rhythms. You can also try dancing along with your child to help reinforce rhythms. Make sure it is a fun experience for both parties, so your child doesn’t feel like they are being disciplined.
5. Don’t Expect Perfection — Celebrate Small Wins
This could be part of making music fun. Don’t expect a flawless performance after 5 minutes of practice. You can use this as a way to celebrate small successes, such as recognizing when your child has practiced for a certain amount of time or when they have improved at a certain skill. Rewarding your child for their efforts, whether it’s with a treat, a favorite activity, or something else that they enjoy, can help keep the motivation high. Remember, one of the many benefits of learning an instrument is that it will increase your child’s attention span. This is a great way to help them develop these skills.
6. Help Them With Practicing Basics
Making sure that your child stays on track and doesn’t procrastinate is important. Try not to hover, but make sure that you are keeping an eye on them and helping them stay on track. Break the practice time down into sections, with a set amount of time dedicated to each skill, such as a metronome, scales, or ear training. This will help your child get the most out of their time while avoiding burnout. Make sure that you have the necessary materials at hand. You can use a digital metronome app, ear training apps, scales apps, and/or a program to help your child stay on track with their practice schedule.
7. Allow Mistakes to be Part of the Process
You can’t learn if you are being too harsh with your child or constantly expecting perfection. Allow your child to make mistakes and learn from them. Mistakes are a great way for your child to understand what they need to correct and what they need to work on. Allowing your child to make mistakes will also help them feel less pressured. This can be difficult for parents who want to help their children but don’t want them to feel as though they are letting them down. It can be helpful to explain that making mistakes is normal and that it is a part of the process.
8. Try Different Instruments and Teachers
Just because your child doesn’t enjoy the instrument they have chosen and have been playing it for a while doesn’t mean they have to quit. Try switching instruments or finding a different teacher to see if it brings a new spark. This can be especially important if your child is still in the early stages of learning an instrument. If they don’t enjoy the instrument or feel it is challenging, they may not continue. Try to keep an open mind and help your child explore different options.
9. Ask for Help Outside of Lessons
This can be beneficial for parents who want to know more about their child’s instrument or who want to help their child practice. You can also use this as a way to strengthen your connection and relationship with your child. You can connect with other parents and people who are teaching music to children in a variety of online groups. This can be a great place to ask questions and find new ideas to try with your child. You can also use this as a tool to help inspire your child.
Final Words
Learning an instrument can be a life-changing experience, but it can be challenging. It needs a lot of practice, time, and patience. It can be challenging for parents to know how to support their children in this. You should be able to assist your youngster in picking up a musical instrument and beginning a new interest with the help of these suggestions. Visit Kidsactivitypage.com for more information related to helping your kids grow with their passions and hobbies.
