There are a million other fun things to be involved with during summer vacation.

So, even though many kids are home more in the summer, less piano playing happens!

 

Summer vacation can be a great time to relax from the rigors of the school year schedule, and I can definitely support some breaks from intensive piano practice.

However, whether your child continues lessons over the summer or not, using the summer to, at least, maintain piano skills and review concepts will be a huge benefit and may aid in keeping them interested in this worthy pursuit.

As a parent, it can be tough to know what and how to get your child to practice effectively over the summer without a fight.

Here are 7 essentials of summer piano practice that every parent should know.

Even knowing or implementing a few of these ideas will be such an investment into your child’s music success!

 

 

1. Lay out practice EXPECTATIONS the night before

 

Kids have ideas about their days and they usually don’t take what needs to be done into account.  As a mom, I have discovered that my kids’ attitudes are much better if I prepare them ahead of time for what the day will hold.

 

Think through when and what they will practice and let them know.  (Then you’ll probably have to follow up, if your kiddo is like mine!)

 

 

 

2. Practice EARLY in the Day

 

Kids are fresher in the morning so their chances for focusing and completing the task of practicing are higher.

They won’t feel as if they are being kept from the fun that may happen later in the day.

It’s done and checked off the list for the day!  Now you can both relax!

 Doesn’t she look like she’s rarin’ to go!

 

3. Be sure students know EXPLICITLY what to practice.

Clarity is essential for productivity! 

• If they can’t answer the question “what are you practicing?” help them nail it down.

 

• Set a goal, choose a song. (Achieving the goal is more important than the actual song!  It can be simple!)

 

• Be sure to help students separate the tasks of learning each song to provide a road map and clarity for their practice time.

 

• For early learners, be specific about how many times they should play a song or a section of measures so they know when they are finished.

 

VISUAL REMINDERS are great for helping with an explicit assignment.  It also helps with independent practice, so you don’t have to sit beside them every day.

 

• My kindergarten son loves to make smiley faces on circles each time he repeats a song. I just draw the empty circles across the top of his page and he fills them in.

 

 

• Print this Balloon Practice Chart to help with clarity and consistency.  Here’s a video that briefly explains how to use the practice sheets.

 

 

4. ENTICE students with incentives and accountability!

While I would love to know that all my students practice daily due to their love of playing the piano, I am a mom, so now I am a realist!

Incentives are great motivators:

• After you finish “popping all the balloons for today”, we will go to the pool.

 

• When you pop all the balloons for each day, put a marble in a jar. When the jar is filled, you’ll get a reward.

 

• Learn a duet and have a piano-playing friend learn the other part. Have a play date or hang out when it’s learned.  Perform it for the family!

 

5. EVENLY BALANCE “work” and “play” at the piano.

Budding pianists will always gravitate toward playing what comes easily- songs already learned and memorized, improvising and creating songs, figuring out melodies by ear.

Those are all GREAT activities for a practice session.  BUT, if those are the only activities, real progress may be slow or non-existent.

 

 

 

6. EXPLORE different ways to learn

Playing piano and music reading are different skills.  It’s ok (actually beneficial!) to explore new ways to play and learn music.

• LEARN BY ROTE: try learning a more challenging song by watching someone play. Then copy it.

Check out YouTube piano tutorials

• LEARN BY EAR: Use your ears to figure out how to play a song.

• OFF BENCH learning:   Use apps, flashcards, review games, challenges, incentives, theory workbook pages, etc. to reinforce concepts even while taking a break from playing time.

App Store: Flashnote Derby, Rhythm Swing, Beat Thief, Joy Tunes Piano Maestro, NoteWorks

• LISTEN to masterful playing while traveling, doing chores, drawing, etc. Don’t underestimate the power of inspiration and imitation!

 

7. Choose songs that are an EASY win.

While progress on piano requires a balance of “work” and “fun”, summer practice can include easier songs- especially if the students isn’t taking regular lessons.

Assignments don’t need to be large or even comprehensive. Just set some goals and go!

 

It’s time for confession!  Do your kids regularly practice (or even just “play”) the piano during the summer?  Tell me in the comments!