How to Keep Kids Engaged with Music Lessons

How to Keep Kids Engaged with Music Lessons

Has this ever happened to you: you sign your child up for music lessons, they seem super excited, but then they don’t touch their instrument for weeks? Music lessons for kids are an important way to develop both academic prowess and emotional intelligence, but for kids to really see the benefits, they have to stick with it!

Keeping kids engaged with music lessons is a challenge, but with a few simple tips and tricks from the expert teachers at Crowne Music, you can help your child reap the full benefits of a musical education.

The Benefits of Music Lessons for Kids

Kids can get a lot out of music lessons. Thanks to the complex cognitive processes involved in playing music, children who pursue music lessons are typically one year ahead of their peers academically. They also gain valuable extracurricular experience for their college resumes, and a study by the University of Georgia even found that children who take music lessons generally engage in healthier behaviors, like self-imposed screen time limits.

While music lessons for kids are essential if you suspect your child may want to pursue a career in the arts, music can also give your child a leg up in any field! Music lessons teach children transferable skills that will be critical in college, the workplace, and their daily lives, like:

• Communication
  Collaboration
• Time management
• Problem-solving
• Confidence
• Self-discipline
• Goal-setting
• Empathy
  

Simply put, music lessons play a critical role in any child’s education. But how can you keep your kids interested in music lessons?

The Top 8 Tips for Keeping Kids Interested in Music Lessons

Keeping kids interested in music lessons requires some creative problem-solving and strategic thinking, but it is very possible. Here are our top tips for keeping kids engaged with music:

1. Try different instruments.

If your child is losing interest in their music lessons, try switching to a different instrument. Every child is different, and so is every instrument; it may take a bit of trial-and-error to find the best fit. Plus, the novelty of trying a different instrument may be enough to re-engage a disinterested student. When your child seems bored with one instrument, switch to a different instrument family; there are plenty to choose from—voice, keyboards, strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion—so you are bound to find one that resonates with your child.

2. Let your child play the songs they love.

Kids are more engaged when they can play the songs they love. During music lessons, children will often have to work on music that is less interesting but important for learning skills like technique, music theory, and interpretation; it’s the musical equivalent of eating your vegetables. However, you should balance out these more technical pieces with fun songs.

Ask your child what songs they want to play or what artists they are most interested in. Then, you can coordinate with your student’s teacher to find engaging yet skill-appropriate pieces that they can play. When your child is working on a song that they want to play, they will actually be excited to practice!

3. Expose your kids to a wide variety of music.

The more music your kids hear, the more likely they will find something that inspires them. Play different genres of music at home, take your kids to concerts, and try making music with them yourself. Sharing your favorite artists, experiencing concerts together, and jamming out won’t just encourage your kid’s interest in music; it will also deepen your bond with them.

4. Establish a practice routine.

Practicing is one of the most important but most difficult parts of taking music lessons. Kids won’t be able to improve without practicing, but practice takes a level of self-discipline that can be difficult, especially for younger children.

As a parent, you can help your kids build a practice routine that works for them:

• Schedule practice sessions. Find 2-4 practice times per week that fit into your child’s schedule and make practicing part of their normal routine. Make sure that you don’t overload them, especially if your child is busy with other extracurricular commitments. Start small and realistic. Once practicing becomes a habit, it will be easy to keep up.
• Dedicate a practice space. Having a dedicated practice space will make it easier for your kids to switch into “practice mode,” and it will minimize potential distractions. It is also important that the practice space be private. Practicing involves the freedom to make mistakes and ugly sounds, so if your child feels watched, they may not be able to experiment in the ways necessary for musical growth.
• Any amount of practicing is good. Even 10 minutes of practicing is better than no practicing at all. Consistency is key. If your child plays their instrument regularly—for whatever length of time—they will keep honing their skills and deepening their love of music.
• Understand the point of diminishing returns. If your child is getting frustrated, sometimes it is just better to take a step back. There is something to be said for working through difficult concepts, but if your child reaches the point of diminishing returns, continuing to practice may be detrimental to both their enjoyment and their skills. When they get too frustrated, encourage your child to end the practice session and start fresh tomorrow.
• Create a practice log. Mark a chart with boxes for each day of the week and have your child put a sticker or star on every day they practice. A practice log can help teach your child time management, and it will also gamify the practice experience. Who doesn’t love collecting gold stars?
• Give each practice session a goal. Open-ended practicing can be intimidating to a new music student. They may end up not practicing at all because they don’t know what to do, or they may just repeat their songs over and over again without learning anything. Collaborate with your child’s teacher to suggest a structure for practice sessions and identify realistic goals, like practicing a fingering or mastering a difficult rhythm. This goal-oriented approach will make practice sessions more effective and give your kids a strong sense of accomplishment.
  

With these tips, you can help your kids make effective practicing into a lifelong habit.

5. Offer incentives and rewards.

Positive reinforcement, like incentives and rewards, is an effective way to keep your kids engaged with music lessons. Rewards play a dual role in the music education progress; they both give your child something to strive for and recognize their hard work. Consider giving your kids a small treat, like ice cream or extra screen time, when they reach their practice goals or organizing a special celebration when they’ve mastered a piece.

6. Find child-friendly performance opportunities.

Preparing for a performance is a big motivator. Performances give children a tangible goal to work towards, and sharing their music reinforces their interest while boosting their self-esteem. Start small with informal, low-pressure performances for friends and family at home, and if your child seems to enjoy them, seek out other performance opportunities in your community. See if they can join their school’s music ensembles, perform with local children’s music organizations, or even form a band with their friends. You can also reach out to your student’s teacher, as many music teachers organize studio recitals and other concerts.

7. Be your kid’s number one fan.

Music is a complex undertaking, and progress can be hard to measure; that’s why your support is key. Be enthusiastic about your child’s music endeavors and celebrate all of their accomplishments, no matter how small! Your support can be key to establishing a growth mindset, so be sure to praise your child’s effort and consistency as well their abilities. When your child knows you’re behind them 100%, they will be motivated to keep going with music lessons.

8. Find the right teacher.

Finding the right teacher is key to keeping kids interested in music lessons. It is critical that you find a knowledgeable and supportive teacher who will nurture your child’s talents. You may be tempted to try the first teacher you find or the cheapest option—especially if your child is just starting music lessons and you’re not sure whether they will like it. However, your child’s music teacher will have the biggest influence on their musical development. If you don’t pick a caring, experienced teacher with lots of good reviews, you may be setting your kid up for failure (and throwing away your money in the process). Many music teachers offer consultations or trial lessons to see if they are the right fit, so take your time and shop around to find the right teacher for your child. And when it comes to finding the right teacher, there is no better place to start than Crowne Music!

Crowne Music: The Most Engaging Music Lessons for Kids

Crowne Music is your number one resource for music lessons in York County, Pennsylvania. Our expert staff of music teachers provide fun, engaging lessons that will turn your kids into lifelong music lovers—while also supercharging their communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

We are proud to offer a variety of convenient locations throughout the greater York area, as well as numerous areas of music instruction, including:

• Voice lessons
• Violin lessons
• Piano lessons
• Guitar lessons
• Drum lessons
• Flute lessons
• Clarinet lessons
• Trumpet lessons

We also give our students a chance to shine with multiple performance opportunities per year, including recitals, cabarets, and opera and musical theater workshops.

At Crowne Music, your child will be empowered as both an artist and a person, preparing them for wherever their lives take them. Contact us today to start your child’s musical journey