| Piano recitals are a valuable tool for helping piano | | | | good habits that support their piano goals is how |
| students achieve their musical dreams. Too frequently, | | | | students can prepare to play well at their piano recital. |
| however, parents mistakenly believe their child's | | | | There are strategies parents can use to help their |
| upcoming piano recital is some kind of an initiation test, | | | | children in piano learn to set goals. But first, here is a |
| and sadly project this attitude to their children. But | | | | good way not to help your child overcome worries |
| nothing could be further from the truth. Here is the real | | | | about performing. Never try to scare your child into |
| truth about piano recitals parents need to know. | | | | practicing with hyperbolic failure stories about what |
| Piano Recitals are a Valuable Tool for helping children | | | | people in the audience will think of they bomb at the |
| succeed in piano, because they establish a goal that | | | | recital! Stick to the facts; and don't give this monster |
| gives students power and direction. What would it be | | | | permission to live in your kid's head. Fear isn't a good |
| like if your child could walk up to the recital piano and | | | | piano teacher. |
| play their best simply because they know they can? | | | | Instead be positive and show your child how to gain |
| Of course It would be wonderful! So why not let | | | | perspective and overcome their fear. If they are |
| them? | | | | worried, redirect their focus by asking how they would |
| Here is the most common explanation parents give for | | | | like to feel at the spring recital? For example, "Would |
| not wanting their children to participate in piano recitals, | | | | you like to feel confident about playing in your recital?" |
| and an alternative to this perspective. | | | | Follow up by stating the facts clearly. "You know, |
| "I'm afraid my child will be embarrassed if they don't | | | | Jeremy, you don't have to be afraid. You have a |
| perform well." | | | | choice. There are things you can do. What do you |
| Okay, so you're afraid. That's understandable, but is it a | | | | think you could do to ensure that you play the way |
| reason? Here's a better way to look at it. As a parent, | | | | you want to at your recital?" If your child hesitates, get |
| what is your goal? By attending piano recitals, children | | | | them to use their imagination by asking, "Well if you did |
| have the opportunity to become more confident, and | | | | know, what do you think it would be?" |
| to learn from their mistakes. Do you want your child to | | | | You can follow up further by asking, "How would your |
| grow in confidence and learn to fly, or stay wrapped | | | | life be different if you weren't afraid to perform in front |
| inside a psychological cocoon? If your goal is to help | | | | of an audience?" And, "Do you think there will be other |
| your musical child learn how to fly, and overcome their | | | | times in you life when you'll need to share what you |
| worries and fears about performing, follow through | | | | know in front of a group of people?" |
| with effective parenting habits that support this goal. | | | | In this way you'll be empowering your child with |
| Having a successful piano recital is all about planning | | | | valuable tools for success. Instead of caving in to fear, |
| and perspective. Piano students learn planning by | | | | use this effective plan for helping your child overcome |
| setting goals that create a map to success that will | | | | piano recital worries. I guarantee your child's confidence |
| achieves their piano dreams. Following through with | | | | will grow as they begin to use their piano wings! |