Good luck everyone as we begin our first weeks of the Play Challenge!
All of the practice motivators and repetition games I am providing here are listed on my website www.amysviolinschool.com under the resources. Use the internet to search for even more ways to motivate practice at home!
Put on performances - for family members, stuffed animals, over skype or even record yourself playing!
Parade - parade around the house playing the twinkle variations, review songs or even newer pieces to test your abilities!
10x Challenge - complete a practice spot 10x in a row without any mistakes. Make a mistake and start over at 1. Watch how the spot gets easier and easier!
Play in different rooms around the house - does the sound of your violin change at all?
Take a step - play a practice chunk well and take a step forward (to a desired destination). Take a step back if played poorly.
6 things a day - pick 6 things everyday to do with the violin. Write them down with your child and check them off as you go. Make them small and concise.
Practice Candle - burn a candle every time you start to practice. Watch as it gets smaller and smaller each time you practice (the candles with little prizes inside can be fun!)
Beads! - string beads together for every repetition or task completed in practice!
Lego! - stick lego pieces together for every repetition or task completed in practice!
Puzzles - put puzzle pieces together for each repetition
Monopoly money - parent and child get same amount of money. If child plays well, they get to steal one piece of parents money. If they play poorly, parent gets to take one piece of child's money. Watch how your child is determined to not let you win all the money!
Why is it so important and expected in the Suzuki method to practice everyday?
Children feel comfort and stability in having a schedule and a routine. They know what to expect and what is expected of them and this makes them feel secure and confident. Having schedules in your family instills healthy lifestyle habits that will carry on into adulthood and establish a sense of responsibility early. It's all about providing the best education, experiences and learning environment for children.
By playing everyday, power struggles can be eliminated because the expectation has been developed. In turn, stress on your part can be reduced and you and your child will get better at practice because you do it so regularly. Your practice sessions will become more concise (shorter in fact!) because there will be no more trying to remember what teacher said at lesson which was two days earlier and you can get straight to the point.
Practice is all about quality and not quantity. 10 minutes of focused practice can replace 20 minutes of unfocused practiced. Use practice motivators and games to capture the focus of your child. Practice daily so that you may learn to practice more efficiently, and therefore save more time in your busy lives for other things.
Sound too good to be true? You can all do it! Call me anytime to discuss daily practice in your home!
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