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Playing the piano - whether acoustic or digital piano - is a fantastic skill that once learned can be used throughout your life. But for the complete beginner it can also be very intimidating to compare their efforts against a master, or even someone who has been practicing longer. The difference between someone who is just learning where the keys are and how to read music and someone who has several years experience is clearer in Piano than in most other arts. It is important to remember this when planning beginner piano lessons for children or teenagers. Unless the children’s piano books are fun and the lessons interesting, very little progress will be made.

To understand what it is that can make piano lessons for kids fun or not you have to think a little like a child. For instance, are the children’s piano books the sort of thing that will excite a child, or are they more likely to think of that as an old, boring adult thing? What about the music itself? A child is more likely to want to show off playing the theme to a popular child’s television show rather than a classical piece they have no understanding for. Is the piano the most interesting thing in the room, or do you need to remove distractions that prevent the child being fully focussed on their beginner piano lessons? You may want to consider the following:

1. Always look to practice at the same time. This will establish practice as a habit.
2. Keep the practice area consistent. Do not move things around if this can be avoided - especially the piano itself.
3. Make sure there is no possibility of interruption from a television. If there is one in the same room turn it off. If there is another that can be heard from the practice room, close doors or do whatever it takes to drown out the noise.
4. Remove as many ‘other interruptions’ as possible. For instance pets or siblings that may demand attention.
5. Do not have food or drink near the piano practice area. Piano lessons for kids should be about the piano - not about a snack.
6. Keep books tidily and teach the child to respect them. Scattered books are a distraction, and moving the books to bedrooms etc can lead to them being damaged or lost.
7. Where piano practice conflicts with another activity such as playing with friends, it should be made clear that piano practice happens first, and then the child can play. This needs to be done in a positive way to both the student and the friends. IE/ “She can’t play now she has piano lesson” is negative, while “She can play right after her piano lessons” is positive.

Follow these 7 tips to create positive piano lessons for kids, but also seek their input as to what they enjoy so this can be incorporated into the lesson. Numerous educational studies have shown that children are more likely to follow rules and guidelines if they have had input in making the rules. This is a favorite trick of early childhood teachers which can easily be incorporated into piano lessons for children. Have a set of piano practice rules in your head, and ask the child what rules need to be in place for the piano practice. Then gently steer them in the direction of the rules you have in mind. “Do you think we should have a special place for your piano books?” or even better(because that question can be answered with a ‘no’), “Where do you think we should keep your Piano books?”.

When you start giving beginner piano lessons for children, you need to remember that your target audience are children and that these kids have different motivations and objectives to adults. Follow the tips above and you will be able to eliminate many of the negative influences and have them enthusiastic and eager to excel in their piano classes for children. Give them goals that they are likely to respond to and keep the lessons focussed on the things that are going to appeal to them. Making the piano lessons for kids about the kids is the very best way to ensure each class is productive and fulfilling - for everyone.

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