🎯 1. Understand What Motivation Really Is

Let's start with the basics. Motivation isn’t about bribing or forcing - it’s about helping your child want to practice. There are two types of motivation:

• Extrinsic: Driven by rewards or consequences - e.g., “Practice or no screen time!”

• Intrinsic: Comes from within - when a child practices because they enjoy it or feel proud of their progress.

While extrinsic rewards may work in the short term, it’s intrinsic motivation that fosters lifelong musicianship. Your mission? Slowly shift your child’s mindset from “I have to” to “I want to.”

✨ Personal Story: A mom of a piano student of mine recently shared how her daughter began practicing daily once she started improvising little tunes after her set pieces. “Suddenly, she wasn’t just practicing - she was creating.”

Just like adults prefer working in clean, inviting spaces, kids are more likely to engage with a well-set-up music area. They are highly affected by their surroundings - if the piano feels like a dusty, tucked-away chore corner, practice can start to feel like a punishment. Instead:

• Place the piano in a lively, open space (like near the living room, not in a lonely bedroom)

• Add cheerful decor - maybe music-themed wall art or a cork-board for stickers.

• Keep the bench comfy, the books accessible, and the area tidy.

✅ Pro Tip: Let your child personalise the space - a small ownership gesture can increase enthusiasm.

🏡 2. Create a Positive Practice Environment

Habits beat willpower every time. Instead of constantly saying “Go practice,” anchor piano time to a consistent daily activity like -

• After breakfast

• After homework

• Before dinner

Children thrive on routine, and when practice is tied to something familiar, it becomes part of the day rather than an afterthought. For younger kids, short and focused sessions - just 10 to 15 minutes - are enough to make steady progress.

🎯Try using a simple visual cue like a practice calendar or sticker chart. It not only helps build the habit but also gives children a sense of pride and achievement as they see their efforts add up.

⏰ 3. Set a Routine (and Stick to It)

Sitting at the piano for 30 minutes and working through a full piece can feel daunting. Instead, break practice into fun, manageable chunks:

• Let’s play the left hand 3 times without mistakes.

• Can you play this tricky bar faster than yesterday?

• Turn repetition into a game with playful variations - try playing at turtle speed, then rabbit speed, or close your eyes and see what happens as you play.

• You can also add a playful twist by covering your ears and guessing the bar they played!

🧠 Mini Challenge Idea: “Magic Measure” - choose one tricky measure to ‘master’ each day.

🎮 4. Turn Practice Into a Game

You don’t need to be a pianist to support your child - your presence matters more than your expertise! Sometimes just sitting nearby with a cup of tea, or asking to hear a part of their song, can show interest and make them feel proud. Ask engaging questions like:

• “Which part of that piece do you like the most?”

• “Was that part easier than yesterday?”

• “Can you teach me that rhythm?”

Children respond positively when they feel their efforts are acknowledged and appreciated.

👂 5. Be Involved (Even If You Don’t Play Piano)

When kids have no say in what they play, it can feel like another school assignment. Even within structured piano curriculums, you can offer choices:

• “Would you like to start with scales or your piece today?”

• “Would you rather learn a pop song or a classical piece next?”

• “Should we record a video of your playing to send to grandma?”

When kids feel ownership over their practice, they’re far more motivated.

👧🏼 Student Story: A 9-year-old keyboard student of mine who was losing interest lit up when given a choice between two pieces. “I get to decide?” she asked - and practiced daily that week.

🎵 6. Let Them Make Musical Choices

Use tech to enhance piano practice, not distract from it. Try:

• Fun ear training apps and metronome apps with visuals or drum beats

• Video recording apps to record, track progress and boost confidence

• Interactive music theory experience offered by music examination boards like MTB & RSL.

📹 Let your child record themselves playing once a week - it builds confidence and creates a mini portfolio!

📱 7. Embrace Tech (It’s Not the Enemy!)

Instead of “Practice for 30 minutes,” try:

• “Learn the first 8 bars by Saturday”

• “Play this piece hands together by the weekend”

• “Play for your cousin on Zoom this weekend.”

Clear goals offer structure - and when tied to a meaningful outcome, they’re motivating.

🏆 Bonus Tip: Create a mini “piano achievement sticker chart” at home to celebrate milestones. Linking practice to short-term rewards (not bribes) and long-term achievements like recitals, exams, or even composing a song can help children stay focused and feel proud of their progress.

🎯 8. Set Specific, Achievable Goals

Praise effort, not just results. Comments like:

• “I noticed how focused you were today.”

• “You didn’t give up on that hard part - well done!”

• “That transition was smoother than yesterday. You're improving!”

Avoid saying “You’re so talented!” all the time - it can actually backfire. Focus instead on the hard work that leads to growth for it helps children feel empowered and resilient.

💬 9. Praise the Effort, Not Just the Outcome

Some days will be rough. If your child is clearly tired or frustrated, it’s okay to:

• Take a break and revisit later

• Have a “play whatever you want” day where they just explore the piano or play old favourites.

• Skip practice entirely once in a while (yes - it’s okay!)

🌱 Musical growth isn’t linear; it unfolds over months and years, not day by day. Your flexibility teaches them that music is a lifelong journey to enjoy, not a daily chore to endure.

☀️ 10. Know When to Step Back

To help your child build consistency and confidence at the piano, we’ve created two free Printable Piano Practice Trackers!

• 🎯 The first is a Practice Time & Consistency Tracker - Click here to download

• ✅ The second is a Practice Quality & Goal Tracker, with space to set weekly goals and sections to track Left Hand, Right Hand, and Hands Together practice - Click here to download

Both are simple, visual, and fun - perfect for encouraging steady progress without the pressure.

🎹 Bonus Download: Piano Practice Tracker (Free PDFs!)

🏹 Final Thoughts: Think Long-Term

Learning the piano isn’t just about mastering scales or passing exams - it’s about building discipline, sparking creativity, and nurturing a lifelong love for music. It’s not a sprint; it’s a marathon. Motivation will ebb and flow, and that’s perfectly normal. As a parent, your role isn’t to be the enforcer - it’s to be the encourager, the cheerleader, the calm and steady guide who helps your child grow at their own pace.

So the next time you feel the urge to say, “Go practice,” try something different:

• “Can I hear what you’re working on today?”

• “Let’s see if that tricky part sounds better than yesterday!”

• “Want to play your favourite song just for fun?”

With the right approach, piano practice can become less of a battle and more of a joy - for your child and for you.

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About The Author

Padmavathy Divakaran is a distinguished pianist, arranger, and music educator, currently serving as the Director of Aum Piano Studio. Formerly the representative for MTB Exams in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka - a globally recognised music education board based in the UK - she has consistently championed excellence in music education. Padmavathy holds a BA (Honours) in Music from Middlesex University, London, and a Diploma in Higher Education – Music from KM College of Music and Technology, Chennai. Her outstanding talent has been recognised through multiple scholarships and awards, including those presented by Dr. A.R. Rahman. As a performer, she has showcased her versatility across classical and contemporary genres, playing with orchestras in both London and Chennai. She was a core member of the Roliwood Seaboard Ensemble, playing a key role in the global launch of the ROLI Seaboard. Her artistry has earned her the honour of performing at prestigious events, including a special performance for Prince William, Simon Cowell, and other notable personalities at The Founders Forum in the UK - a testament to her global reach and artistic impact.