Message to Parents
A Guide to Enhancing Your Child's Musical Experience

Congratulations
Your decision to provide your child with a quality musical instrument is an investment in your child's future.  In making it possible for your child to play a musical instrument you are providing the opportunity for self-expression, creativity, and achievement.  Numerous studies indicate that parents attitude, support and involvement are important factors in a child's ability to successfully learn to play and to enjoy music.  I hope that the following information will assist you in giving your child the best support possible for his or her musical endeavors.  Like any skill, interest counts far more than talent.  With the right support from you, playing music will become a natural part of your child's life.

Benefits
For your child:  Music participation enhances - problem solving, team work , goal setting, self-expression, coordination, memory skills, self-confidence & esteem, concentration, and poise and much, much more!
For your family:  A child's music study also offers opportunities for shared family experiences, including: musical event attendance, family music-making, performing for, and with, family and friends, learning about the lives of composers and the cultural heritage of Western civilization, a sense of pride and accomplishment for the entire family.

How You Fit In
Always keep in mind that your support is a key element in your child's success with music study.

SCHEDULE PRACTICE TIMES
Music achievement requires effort over a period of time.  You can help your child by: providing a quiet place in which to practice.  Remaining nearby during practice times as often as possible.  Scheduling a consistent daily time for practice.  Praising your child's efforts and achievements.

ENCOURAGEMENT
Offer compliments and encouragement regularly.  Expose your child to a wide variety of music, including concerts and recitals.  Encourage your child to talk with you about his or her lessons.  Make sure your child's instrument is always in good working order.  Listen to your child practice, and acknowledge improvement. Try to get your child to make a minimum two-year commitment to his or her music studies.

WHAT NOT TO DO
Don't use practice as punishment.  Don't insist your child play for others when they don't want to.  Don't ridicule or make fun of mistakes or less than perfect playing. Don't apologize to others for your child' weak performance. Don't expect rapid progress and development in the beginning.

IF YOUR CHILD LOSES INTEREST
In the event your child loses interest in his or her music studies, don't panic.  Discuss the situation with your child to determine why their interest is declining.  Talk to your child's music teacher to see what might be done to rekindle their enthusiasm.  Encourage your child to stick with lessons for an agreed period to time.  Offer increased enthusiasm and support.
A Guide to Enhancing Your Child's Musical Experience

Congratulations
Your decision to provide your child with a quality musical instrument is an investment in your child's future.  In making it possible for your child to play a musical instrument you are providing the opportunity for self-expression, creativity, and achievement.  Numerous studies indicate that parents attitude, support and involvement are important factors in a child's ability to successfully learn to play and to enjoy music.  I hope that the following information will assist you in giving your child the best support possible for his or her musical endeavors.  Like any skill, interest counts far more than talent.  With the right support from you, playing music will become a natural part of your child's life.

Benefits
For your child:  Music participation enhances - problem solving, team work , goal setting, self-expression, coordination, memory skills, self-confidence & esteem, concentration, and poise and much, much more!
For your family:  A child's music study also offers opportunities for shared family experiences, including: musical event attendance, family music-making, performing for, and with, family and friends, learning about the lives of composers and the cultural heritage of Western civilization, a sense of pride and accomplishment for the entire family.

How You Fit In
Always keep in mind that your support is a key element in your child's success with music study.

SCHEDULE PRACTICE TIMES
Music achievement requires effort over a period of time.  You can help your child by: providing a quiet place in which to practice.  Remaining nearby during practice times as often as possible.  Scheduling a consistent daily time for practice.  Praising your child's efforts and achievements.

ENCOURAGEMENT
Offer compliments and encouragement regularly.  Expose your child to a wide variety of music, including concerts and recitals.  Encourage your child to talk with you about his or her lessons.  Make sure your child's instrument is always in good working order.  Listen to your child practice, and acknowledge improvement. Try to get your child to make a minimum two-year commitment to his or her music studies.

WHAT NOT TO DO
Don't use practice as punishment.  Don't insist your child play for others when they don't want to.  Don't ridicule or make fun of mistakes or less than perfect playing. Don't apologize to others for your child' weak performance. Don't expect rapid progress and development in the beginning.

IF YOUR CHILD LOSES INTEREST
In the event your child loses interest in his or her music studies, don't panic.  Discuss the situation with your child to determine why their interest is declining.  Talk to your child's music teacher to see what might be done to rekindle their enthusiasm.  Encourage your child to stick with lessons for an agreed period to time.  Offer increased enthusiasm and support.