When Should You Practice the Piano with Your Child?

You should practice with your child if he or she cannot read and follow the instructions of the teacher.

Your child may be a reader, but perhaps not a reader of piano instructions. This is often the case in children 8 and under. Kids this young do well with parent monitoring. A good example: The teacher says to play 3 times counting out loud and the student plays once without counting. You as a parent can say something like: "Can you show me how to count out loud with you while you play a second time?." Then perhaps: "I bet you will sound even better on the third play." 

Some of my neater instructions.

You should practice with you child if they cannot tell whether they are playing accurately or not.

Now this doesn't mean that you need to read the music. You already have musical skills from years of listening...

...you can tell if there isn't a steady beat because you won't be able to tap your foot to it, many kids can't hear that yet.

...you can hear that the same notes aren't being played each time, many kids can't hear that they are playing different notes in subsequent plays.

...you can hear if the music sounds tuneful and melodic, some kids are so busy thinking about what they are trying to do that they don't really hear the music.

...you understand that a Lullaby should be gentle....your child may not. 

In the early levels - the music has a regular pulse and is almost always tuneful. If this is not what you hear when your child is playing, then there is a good chance that you need to help with the practice so that you can point out (tactfully) where these inconsistencies are by asking questions about the music. If you can - encourage slower practice. If your child doesn't respond well to that - consider picking up a CD to go with the method book, or record the teacher playing the pieces using your phone. This way the student has a sound template of what the finished piece will sound like.


You should practice with your child if pieces are taking more than 2 weeks to learn and they are from a Beginner method book. By learn, I mean the notes and rhythms are accurate.

This piece should not take more than 2 weeks to learn.

If you are unsure how to go about practicing with your child then ask the teacher. Sometimes what a teacher writes is very clear for one student and less clear for another. 

Some children do not like parental input. In that case consider using incentive pads for practice sessions. For more information on these please see my Student Supplies page.

Try to keep practice sessions positive and performance oriented. Perhaps have a recital halfway through the week. Try to use the word "play" more than "practice" and explore the piano with your child. Perhaps he or she could teach you a piece.

I just found this great list of ideas for creating calmer home practice at Teach Piano Today. Here is the link: http://www.teachpianotoday.com/2012/09/18/how-to-create-peaceful-practice-and-end-practice-wars-for-good/