Lots of kids run off to their first music class eager to learn, and with visions of wowing friends from on stage!
But sometimes, a month (or even a week!) later they are dragging their feet and complaining about practicing. If that’s happening in your house, you’re probably wondering, “What happened?” or thinking “My kids just aren’t musical”.
Not so fast, every child is musical. There are lots of ways to make music school for kids fun again!
There are all different sorts of music schools for kids. From schools that offer weekly group classes for kids to weekly instrumental lessons one-on-one, to private schools that focus on music and the arts every day! Regardless of which type of music school your kids are in, we can certainly make it more fun!
A bit of a preface, I’m a big believer in helping kids learn to stick with it. After all, one of the biggest benefits of music school for kids is that they learn self-discipline and patience. They won’t learn these skills if they give up a new activity at the first hiccup. Getting through the hiccups using some of the ideas below leads to a lifelong passion for music.
But first, the top tip I have to make music school for kids fun is to make sure they are developmentally ready and have a general interest in music before enrolling them. Don’t force it, or you will end up battling your child, and possibly teaching them to dislike music before they even start.
You can and should absolutely help them to keep things fun once they’re on their musical journey, though!
Fun ways to practice
Games
Everything is more fun if it’s a game! If you can gamify your child’s music practice they will forget that practice is sometimes hard work.
Games can be solo or involve a parent or family member too! For example, any board game you already have, or even a deck of cards or sheet of paper can quickly be turned into a ‘music practice game’.
Tic-Tac-Toe is the simplest to start with. Simply set a task from their assignment (practice the first page, or clap this rhythm, or whatever their teacher has written down). Each time they do it, they can place a piece on the board. If they fail to get it right, the other player can place a piece.
It sounds too easy, but I’ve seen a lot of kids go from refusing to play to laughing and having fun with just adding such simple games!
For more ‘music practice games’ with ideas and instructions check out How to Make Instrument Practice Fun!
Make it a challenge or a quest
For example, collect a sticker for each time they play a piece correctly (or whatever they are to practice for music school). Earn 10 stickers to earn a reward and play a game. This is a simple example, but if your child loves video games, I can envision a much more elaborate ‘music practice quest’.
Use your child’s assignments to create the tasks for their quest, and encourage them to imagine what the quest might be for. (Engage their imagination and things they are interested in like a favorite video game, toy, or show). How can they ‘level up’ in their quest? How will they complete their quest? Draw it out with them, and off they go!
Make it social
One of the reasons music school for kids can begin to drag is that assignments or practice are usually solo endeavors. Make it more fun for your kids by being around and engaging with them while they practice. If they are still young, sit with them, and help. Have them teach you something.
If they are older, encourage them to practice their instrument with fellow music school students. Ask their teacher if another student might want to play a duet or otherwise work together. Encourage them to join a group such as a band or choir.
Make it an alternative to something less fun
If you can practice music or watch your favorite TV show, music practice is torture. But… if you can practice music or do chores with the rest of your family, music practice is the best thing ever!
Don’t phrase the alternative as a punishment, but instead let music practice be a get out of jail free card sometimes.
Find them some music you know they love
Maybe it’s not part of their formal classes or a totally different style, but find your kidssome music for a favorite song.
Whether it’s ‘Let it Go’ or the latest pop hit, playing music they already love can turn their playing instrument into something they relate with fun.
Performance fun
Most music schools for kids will have some performances. Either individual performances like a piano or violin recital, or group performances, like a band or a choir concert.
Often these performances are required or strongly encouraged. Some kids love performing, so if your kid is already having fun performing you don’t need these ideas. However, probably the majority of kids find performing nerve-racking and not really their idea of fun!
Practice performing in situations that are fun
Maybe the school auditorium or the stage is the scary part. Practicing performing can be fun though!
Put on a performance for dolls and stuffed animals, or action figures. Play for friends or family when they visit, especially if they could also return the favor. Normalize playing and performing for others in comfortable situations, so that music school performances can also be fun.
Get a performance buddy to stick with
Encourage your child to make a performance buddy. If they are especially shy, or don’t have a good friend in their music school ask their teacher to help pair them up with another student.
It’s hard to be as nervous if you have a friend giggling beside you. Your nervous child might just end up passing some of the performance without remembering they were anxious!
Get involved in the things around the performance
Perhaps a pretty dress, doing your daughter’s hair, or making a creative treat for the reception will make the performance even more exciting.
Things you can do as a parent
A lot of how your kids feel about music classes can be controlled by you as a parent! Especially if they are still quite young.
Present the chance to attend a music school for kids as exciting!
Of course, mention that going to a music school for kids will mean they’re expected to practice and stay committed. But, kids will have more fun with it, if they go into something thinking that it IS fun! So, be excited and reinforce how special and exciting it is that they get to go to music school!
Make music a part of your daily life
Listen to the type of music your child learns in music school. Normalize the fact that music is an enjoyable and fun part of your lives.
Kids learn by the actions of everyone around them. If they attend music school that expects them to play Beethoven sonatas, and you only listen to rock music, they might not feel they are playing ‘real’ music, or that their music can also be fun. Likewise, if it’s the other way around!
Be musical throughout the day. Listen to music in the car, and sing around the house. Sing some of your kids’ songs if they have words – even if your kids are old enough to cringe at it, you’ll definitely make it more fun, and let them know they’re not alone!
Get into the events
As I mentioned above, volunteer to bring snacks to a concert, and make something special together with your child. Spend time helping your child pick the best concert outfit.
And of course, do everything you can to attend. A big part of making music school fun is supporting your child. They might be having lots of fun, but if no one at home gets in on the fun, it can be hard to maintain.
How do you keep music school fun for your kids?
Learning about music is one of the greatest gifts you can give your kids. But, of course, it’s important to make it as fun as possible so they keep learning to love music!
Whether your kids struggle with practicing their instrument, performing, or just maintaining interest, there are lots of easy ways to renew their excitement again. I’d love to hear how your kids have fun in music school!
If you’d like even more ideas check out How to Support your Child’s Music Lessons.
