These suggestions are for parents who want to encourage piano learning at home. Some of the suggestions can be used for other routine tasks, like doing homework or chores. (Australian Curriculum, Music)
I have collected ideas from around the web to help keep it FUN:
1) A novelty music stamp to record practices. Keep it within easy reach, e.g. on the piano.
2) Iwako erasers for picking out keys, scales and chords on the keyboard.
3) Novelty rings for helping with fingering.
4) A variety of fun worksheets. We never insist on worksheets, but my kids like to do them. (And yet they dislike workbooks! Go figure! Maybe a whole book is too intimidating?)
5) Soft finger puppets, again for picking out chords.
6) Talking 'Easy' button. Maybe I like this one just a little more than the boys...
7) Whiteboard with stave on one side and blank on the other for playing dice games. (Easy to make!)
8) Erasable highlighters for marking difficult patches in the music.
9) Card games, if your children are into those.
10) Stick with googly eyes for sight reading.
And finally, the most important tip of all...
11) Fun music, that they actually want to play! If our boys are ever struggling with motivation, this is the key to encouraging them back to a place of enjoyment.
If you'd like to see how we set everything up, including a sneak peek inside my lesson plan folder and the boys' music scrapbooks, please watch the video! (Terribly low quality footage, sorry...)
We use and recommend the Hal Leonard Student Piano Library series (no affiliation).
What are your tips for enjoying piano at home? Let us know in the comments!
If you liked our tips for keeping music learning fun, you might like our Harry Potter Chemistry invitation to play.
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