It is not that easy to teach music to kids. They are easily distracted and not even sure if they like what they are doing. They may struggle to grasp the concept of music and may feel discouraged to keep trying. If you see your child dropping everything because they find it hard, then this article is for you.
According to a top Music School in Kolkata, teaching the same topics every year can be boring and tedious. It is possible that the students feel equally bored because you may be accidentally passing that feeling onto the students.
So what can you do to keep your kid interested in music? This article will tell you how. You can try these things as a parent to keep your child’s interest alive, even through those scary learning phases.
Stay positive, even if your child isn’t
Your child may be feeling overwhelmed with all these new lessons. It is possible that they say they don’t like music because they are finding it hard to keep up. This is where you step in as a parent and be the positive force in their life. There is a very thin line between encouraging and forcing them. Just observe their keenness to learn music and see if it is the difficulty of lessons that is making them feel this way. If so, then you can talk to them or consider talking to the music teacher to see if they can simplify the lessons.
There should be plenty of practical assignments
When you are looking for a music teacher or a music school for your kid, make sure that the lessons include copious amounts of practice lessons too. For younger children, making the lessons fun can be the difference between active interest and no interest in this activity. Therefore, you should carefully assess the course methodology before enrolling them in a school. Make sure that the teachers have included practical exercises in their teaching plan. Believe it or not, best music theory lessons are learnt in a fun way!
There should be no room for boredom
The lessons should be designed in such a way that they fit the students’ concentration levels. Anything too easy or too difficult will not be received well by the kids. What is possible to keep them from getting distracted is break the lessons into multiple small and fun tasks. The teachers that use this technique are able to hold the child’s attention for much longer and even keep them interested in their lessons. The course plan should mix up activities such as listening, playing instruments, singing, clapping, dancing etc. Each activity brings an all new level of excitement amongst kids. While checking out music schools, don’t forget to check about the teaching methodologies followed by the teacher.
The music should be relatable
It is much easier to engage the students by teaching them their favourite song or genre. The music selection should happen on the basis of student age and interest. You can see if your child fits in and enjoys the music lessons by requesting for a free trial class. You will be able to observe your child’s behaviour and see if they are enjoying the music being taught or if they are able to relate with it.
Encourage peer interaction
The best form of learning comes when students interact with each other. According to many experts, individual practice is an important part of learning but a classroom setting gives your kid an opportunity to interact with other students that encourages collaborative learning. By interacting with their peers, the kids will not only enjoy learning music but also develop other important skills such as decision making, problem solving etc. The music teachers in a classroom essentially teach the kids to collaborate with one another as they teach them music. Learning music together is a far more enjoyable experience than doing it alone, at least at the beginner stages.
Match your kid’s learning level with the teacher’s skill level
Your kids will spend an inordinate amount of time with the music teacher as they learn music. They should be able to look up to them and feel encouraged to try and do better with each lessons. However, this is only possible if the teacher is aligned with the students’ skill level so that they know how to foster and encourage participation. They will also help your kids come up the learning curve in a smooth and helpful way.
These are some of the things you can do as a parent to help your kid stay interested in music.
