10 Ways to Make Practicing a Positive Experience
Play the Suzuki music for your student every day. Play whole CD/video/playlist of the book your child is working on (not just the specific song). If your student is close to being in the next book, listen to that book, too.
You - the parent - practice the Suzuki songs, your own instrument, or another creative endeavor on a daily basis to set the example.
Create a musical environment in the home. Have great music of all styles - musicals, jazz, orchestral, chamber, pop, etc.- playing throughout your home on a regular basis.
Take your child to live musical performances. Let the talent of others inspire them.
Sit with your child while they practice. Younger and beginning students often need help and are open to mom or dad helping them. Older students and teenagers often want to figure it out on their own. You can still sit in the same room, do your own quiet activity and listen. It shows that practice time is valuable and that you are dedicated to making the time for it.
Have a variety of ways of counting repetitions, so your child learns to practice pieces and small sections more than one time through (i.e ten bead counter, rolling a die to see how many times to repeat, getting a lego piece for each repetition and building something, or scooping a cookie onto the sheet each time and baking them at then end of practice).
Have an incentive for your child. In my home growing up, if we practiced every day for a week we could choose a double scoop of ice cream at our favorite ice cream shop.
Compliment your child. Never criticize. Notice the one part of the song that was right and praise it. Notice when they listen carefully and recognize their own mistakes. Notice when the voluntarily sit down for 3 minutes and play a song. Make a big deal about the small improvements!
Create a routine around practicing so there isn’t drama every day. Maybe it’s 15 minutes before school and 15 minutes after school. For older children it can be 30 or more minutes in a row. For younger children you may want to do six 5 minutes sessions throughout the day when you suggest to your child to play one or two songs for you on the piano. Set a regular routine and stick to it.
Keep everything about lessons, practicing, and music a positive experience. Remember there’s a reason we call it “playing” piano.