Parents play a huge role in helping their children learn to play the piano. This reprint of a newspaper article discusses parent’s under or over involvement in the process.
http://www.theprogressivepianist.com
DALLAS (AP) — Parental involvement in children’s piano instruction plays a major part in the success of the lessons, reports the National Piano Foundation here, which recently surveyed piano teachers across the country.
According to these experts, the home environment may be the most important factor in a child’s musical progress and enjoyment.
Parents Urged to take Interest in Kid's Lessons
“Parents have to take the first steps to encourage their children musically,” says Paul Bordeleau, a Bedford, N.H., piano teacher. “If the parents are interested, the student will be interested as well.”
Bordeleau suggests that parents become involved early, long before the first piano lesson. Among musical experiences they can share with their children are playing records together, singing songs and nursery rhymes and attending local concerts and musicals.
Once the child has started lessons, staying involved may be difficult for some parents, particularly those who work or have no musical background.
“Most parents are very active themselves,” says Diane Abelson of Kansas City, Mo. “But if they are rarely with the child’s piano lessons, there is nobody to supervise practice. It can be difficult for the child
to learn in that kind of atmosphere.”
“If a child loses interest in the piano, it isn’t always because he doesn’t want to play,” says Sharon Kaplan, a Minneapolis teacher, children need help and direction and many parents simply don’t know how to give them the sup¬port they need.”
