How to practise with a young child:
tips for Suzuki parents
For a young child, a short, happy practice every day works far better than a long one once or twice a week. Five to ten minutes is plenty for a 3- or 4-year-old, as long as it happens most days and ends on a success.
Make it part of the day
Practice is easiest when it’s linked to something that already happens every day, such as after breakfast or before dinner. Children then expect it, just like brushing their teeth, and you don’t have to negotiate each time.
Keep it short and end on a success
Young children concentrate for short bursts. It’s better to stop while your child is still enjoying it than to push on until they’re tired. Finish with something they can do well, so they leave feeling proud.
Make practice interesting
Children will spend hours doing what fascinates them, so it is worth spending some time coming up with ways to make practice interesting. Toys, games and charts all have their place, but I suggest you use them as sparingly as possible, both to keep their novelty (for when you really need them!) and so as not to lose sight of the real goal of learning to play music.
I call any activity that is included just for fun a “side-activity”. Keep a list of side-activity ideas, because none of them will work forever! You’ll find lots of ideas on our Keeping practice fun page, from Lego creations to fluffy-toy concerts.
Repetitions: check your child can do it first
Repetitions are essential to automate any skill. Check that your child can actually do the thing you are asking first. If they can’t do it yet, they probably won’t tolerate repeating something they can’t do for long. Better to make the task easier so they can repeat something that they can do.
To help repetitions go smoothly, it can help to have another activity going at the same time. Often the best motivator is whatever your child’s current favourite toy or activity is. Think laterally about a way to include this in your music practice.
Make it an experiment
Try making practice into a time of experimentation and discovery, e.g. “Let’s see how many times in a row your hand can play that little part correctly. You play and I’ll count.”
Let your child be the teacher
Get your child to be the “teacher” while you (or another adult, or a fluffy toy) try to do whatever your child is supposed to be learning. Explaining something to someone else shows what your child really understands, and most children love catching the grown-up’s mistakes!
Review pieces they already know
In the Suzuki method, children keep playing pieces they’ve already learned. Review isn’t a waste of time: it builds fluency and confidence. It should give the child the feeling that "I can play these pieces quite well and it's fun to be able to play". Many teachers suggest spending at least half of every practice on review.
Listen every day
Daily listening to the Suzuki recordings is as important as playing. Put them on in the background during breakfast, playtime or car journeys. The more familiar a piece is, the easier it is to learn.
Notice what goes well
Praise something specific: “Your bow was really straight that time,” or “You remembered the whole first line.” Children repeat what gets noticed.
Take a video of your child playing their instrument now and then. This can be very enlightening for them and you.
You are part of the team
In the Suzuki method, the parent comes to every lesson, takes notes and leads practice at home. You don’t need to be musical: your teacher will show you what to do, step by step. If practice is becoming a struggle, tell your teacher. Adjusting the routine is part of their job.
Online Suzuki lessons
At Katie Suzuki Music, children from age 3 learn Suzuki piano or violin one-to-one by live webcam lessons with a registered Suzuki teacher. You can read more about what age children can start, or book a free 30-minute intro chat.