A number of questions have arisen in concern of how parents can help and guide children through their daily practice sessions. We have made the following points for suggestions.
Just as the student's responsibilities vary according to age, likewise the parents' responsibilities will change as the child grows older and assumes more self-discipline. Unfortunately it is difficult to be specific about those changes since they will be affected by various factors. One such factor is family values, i.e how important it is to both parents and the child that the child learns to play the piano well. Other factors include available time, interest and commitment.
Nonetheless, there is one primary responsibility that every parent must take: to see that the child practices his assignments regularly. It is not the parents' role to teach- that is better left to the teacher. But the parents can help insure that the child understands his assignments. Other parental responsibilities include:
? Providing a good, well tuned piano
? Providing a piano bench of the correct height
? Getting the student to the lessons on time
? Attending recitals and other activities at which parental attendance is expected.
? Asking the child to play regularly for the parents
? Being supportive, interested and encouraging.
-At the outset of lessons make clear to your child, in an enthusiastic manner, that music training is a long-term process, just like school, but with many high points of pleasure along the way.
-Your child has his own unique pace, so avoid comparing him to siblings or neighbors' children who may appear to be playing better than he. Anticipate ups and downs in his attitude and progress, along with a number of ?growing pain? periods.
-Seriously contemplate how to help your child. Knowing when to help, when to be supportive, and when to withdraw to encourage him to help himself is a parental art in itself.
-Stress that quality, not quantity, of practice is what results in real progress.
-?Music comes to the child more naturally, when there is music in his mother's speaking voice,? said violin educator Shinichi Suzuki. So be pleasant and encouraging about your child's practicing. Naturally, there will be occasions when you will need to be firm. But remember with ?music in your voice,? coach him, guide him, but don't police him.
-When you help your child, be at his side?not at the other end of the room or in the next room. Teach him to treat the practice session with the same respect he gives to his lesson period.
-During a crisis, always talk it out with your child in an atmosphere of mutual respect. If the issue is serious, you may need to discuss it with the teacher first. Allow your child to participate in the final decision so he feels that his voice has been heard. Teach him to interact constructively in group decision making.
-A sense of humor is a powerful tool with which to resolve disagreements about practicing.
-Always let your child feel you are proud of his achievements, even when they are small.
-Never belittle your child's efforts.
-Don't despair at temporary lapses in practice. Your child will make progress in the lesson itself, although less rapidly.
-Don't threaten to stop his lessons if he doesn't practice. Threats can work during periods of high motivation in music but may boomerang during a ?growing pain? period. The day may come when he will remind you of your threat and insist that you make good on it.
-Don't criticize your child in the presence of others, especially the teacher. The teacher has skillfully built up a good relationship with your child, and his loss of face will tend to undermine it. Speak to the teacher, and only the teacher, privately about problems.
-Your financial investment in your child's music lessons pays its dividends through the skills he acquires over the years, not by the amount of his daily practice, nor in how much he plays for you or your guests. Remember you are giving your child a music education for his artistic use, for his self-expression, and for his pleasure. Don't expect him as a child to be grateful for your sacrifices.
家长怎样帮助孩子练琴
为了培养孩子们的兴趣和积极性，使得学习钢琴成为孩子们生活中的一部分。
家长们应该：
- 提供一架练习用的钢琴
- 提供一个可以调整升降的钢琴凳子
- 让孩子经常在自己面前表演
- 给孩子适当的支持和鼓励
- 允许孩子参与各种相关的活动
- 确保每周准时上课
许多的家长在对于辅导自己孩子学习钢琴的问题上遇到了许多困惑。以下有几点建议希望能够帮助到家长们。
Ø 在学习钢琴的初期阶段，正确的引导孩子，用积极的方式告诉他们，学习音乐是一个长期的过程，在这个过程中会有很多的乐趣。
Ø 正确的面对孩子的成长，每个学生的进度都不一样，所以不要用其他学生的标准来衡量自己的孩子。
Ø 家长在家里的主要的任务是观察与督促，并且保证自己的孩子能够正确地理解他们的回家作业，而不是亲自去教导他们。
Ø 要使您的孩子了解到练琴时间和上课时间同样重要。重视质量的练习方法才是真正有效的方法，练习时间的延长有时候并不能真正达到效果。
Ø 指导孩子，引导孩子但是不要操纵孩子。
Ø 当您孩子练习的时候，尽量不要远离孩子站在房间的另一边，坐在他们的身边，往往能够更有效果。
Ø 在练习时遇到困难和问题，要用相互尊重的方式与孩子交谈，在做出决定时要把他们的意见一起考虑进去。
Ø 让您的孩子觉得您为他/她而骄傲，哪怕只是一点点的进步。
在些时候一些很小的疏忽会使您的孩子失望或伤心，因此请家长们：
Ø 从不要轻视孩子做出的努力。
Ø 不要因为一次练琴失误而失望，孩子会在上课中得到提高，虽然进度有快慢。
Ø 不要让孩子感觉到练琴是一种惩罚，要让他们感觉到其中的乐趣。
Ø 如果孩子不练琴，不要威胁他，尽量用鼓励的方法引导他们。
Ø 不要在其他孩子面前指责您的孩子，特别是老师面前。老师在上课时会尽量创造一个良好的沟通方式。这样会破坏这种沟通。
最后，对于您在孩子身上所花费的金钱和精力可能会几年以后才能得到回报，这个回报不是在他/她今天练琴得时候，也不是在您的朋友面前表演的时候。您提供给孩子的是一个艺术修养，自我发挥的空间。不要要求孩子现在就感谢你，当他/她长大后，享受到音乐的快乐时，他/她才会真正的感谢您！