Questions about practicing are what I get asked from parents the most often. Everything from why won't my kid practice? To What can I do to help? To statements of I don't play piano myself and have no background. Practicing is hard for a child in many ways but mostly because it's a solitary activity and one that they have to do with no help from their teacher.
If you find that your child is needing a bit of guidance for their practicing, try asking them these questions to get them going. You can ask as many as you want. Sometimes just having some different things to think about during their practice time is enough to get them going again. Plus it has the added benefit of getting you involved in the process!
-Where is the hardest part in this
piece? Can you play JUST that part for
me?
-Can I play the last note in this
piece? Can you show me which key to press and then nod at me when it’s my turn
to play?
-Let’s write a note to your
teacher about today’s practice session.
What should we tell her?
-Let’s write some lyrics or a
story to go with this piece? What do you
think it’s about?
-Let’s draw a picture to go with
your piece
-Can you play this piece for me in
slow motion?
-Clap and count the rhythm of any
measure in this piece and I will try to copy you!
-What does this mean? (asked while
pointing at any marking above a music note)
-Let’s surprise Grandma (or any
other family member) with a special tune.
I’ll phone her…when you hear me say HELLO, start to play!
-Do you think you could play that
part louder and this part softer?