Children need help setting the right boundaries to protect their dreams. Helping your child in piano establish good habits that will support their goals is the first step. A good habit is like a little fence around your childs piano goals that will protect their dreams and bring them to life. Here are five ways to create a positive learning environment at home that will your childs musical future.

1. Establish a daily practice time when your child will plan to sit down at the piano and practice.

This is important because there are so many choices for how to spend time, such as watching a favorite TV show, eating dinner, playing with friends, doing homework, running an errand, etc. Everyday new choices will arise. To protect your childs piano dream set aside a daily practice time and make this decision ahead of time.

2. Associate daily practice time with another enjoyable activity your child also does on a routine basis.

To help your child build a practice routine associate their daily practice with another enjoyable daily activity. This could be feeding the fish, taking the family pet for a short walk, or having a story read to them. Think of something that would be meaningful to your child.

3. Be sure your child practices at home right after their weekly piano lesson or as soon as possible thereafter.

If your child waits a few days after their weekly piano lesson to practice, it is very likely they will have forgotten what their teacher showed them at their lesson. To get the most benefit from the weekly lesson students should practice at home right after their lesson, or at least the next day. This way they will remember what to do, which will reinforce practice throughout the week.

4. Eliminate distractions during practice.

Young children generally do not like to be alone. Putting the piano in a room away from the rest of the family can make them feel punished. Put the piano where your child can see you while they are practicing, or at least know theyre not alone. Also eliminate distractions such as television and ask your childs friends to come over after piano practice.

5.Make sure your child knows what their weekly goals are.

Focusing on our goals is the best way to practice with purpose and meaning. You want your childs effort to be effective. So ask your child, What are your piano goals this week? The more specific they can be, they more progress they will make. For example, Im learning C Position. Then you can ask them What is a good habit that would help you reach that goal? If your child doesnt know, have them write the question down in a journal and ask their teacher at their next lesson. Keeping a piano journal of their goals and questions will help your child stay focused. It will also help your child in piano create important boundaries that will protect their musical dreams and bring them life.