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10 Steps to Getting Your Child to Carnegie Hall

Posted: April 27, 3:23 pm | (permalink) | (0 comments)

I am a doting mother, and I brag about my kids every chance I get. I didn't think I would be that mother, but low and behold...I am. I think it's better to just admit that you can't resist the opportunity to talk about your children than deny it. So let's all just admit it! Which brings me to the part I am really proud of...drum roll please...our oldest son Christian was chosen to play piano at Carnegie Hall! After an extensive audition process, he will be playing in the American Protege concert at Carnegie along with other children. He's only 10 years old! He is definitely not nearly as excited I am....

The journey to Carnegie inspired me to write about the topic of getting your children to practice _________ (fill in the blank). Whether it be piano, lacrosse, ballet or soccer, successfully getting them to practice can be a dreaded experience for all involved. Disciplines like music take daily practice. Along with school, homework, lacrosse, karate, dinner and sleep, daily practice is a challenge to keep a high priority. Some how, someway, we manage..Here are some of my tips from our family's experience:

1. Choose your long days -

These days should be the ones where there is nothing else going, and you can get them to do a longer practice on those days. On Sunday, and any other days off, I get them to practice twice, once in the morning (long practice), and once later, when Daddy gets home, "Because he's so excited to hear them and really wants to listen to them play."

2. Do the "Lick-a-dee split" on off days

On days when we have games, I make them do half a practice- just their performance pieces and their scales.

3. Pick a "Show Time"

They must practice by 5:30, that way they can play after school and then get it in before we eat dinner.

4. Practice In Ear Shot (Or eye shot for sports)

I have them practice usually while I am preparing dinner, so I am in earshot, and know if they are playing or playing.

5. Teacher Time is Sacrosanct

I do my best to keep my children from playing outside or having friends over before both children are finished their lesson. The playing distracts the student. Also, everything in the house shuts down when the teacher is doing the lesson (or at leas that's the goal!)

6. Pester

I don't let it go...Hopefuly I wont' be paying for it with years of therapy, but I really make their practice a priority, like teeth brushing, it must be done before they go to bed. Or mommy won't stop asking...(I even annoy myself).

7. Showcase

I ask them to play for family and friends on occasion. The clapping is great reinforcement to them. They hear other people say how wonderful it is to hear them play, not just mom and dad.

8. Stay Consistent

No matter what season, what sport, or what's going on, we get the practice in, as well as the lesson...

9. Praise Praise Praise

I always say how it makes my heart melt to hear them play. I let them know that I think they are brilliant...but read on....

10. Be an Honest Critic

I also let them know if it wasn't "their best song", or a "little pitchy", oh sorry, I was getting off track on American Idol...No seriously, I let them know in an instructional way if the song doesn't sound good...I don't think it's healthy for children to be constantly told how wonderful they are if they don't do their best. Then they end up like those auditioners on American Idol, with no concept of how dreadful they are...

So good luck, and remember the story when a tourist asked, "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?" and the New Yorker said "Practice baby, Practice."

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