Ok, I decided to hand out a paper to parents that covers their role in practice with Do’s and Don’ts. Hopefully, this will help my problem.  Here is part of what I have scripted-this is just the part I am worried about.  I’m handing it out tomorrow, so if you think I’m making a drastic mistake, please hurry and tell me now!

Do be involved in practice by occasionally sitting in on practice time. 

  • Don’t monitor every practice session.  Your child needs personal time with the piano in order to improve!  When you do sit in, remember you are only there to observe and offer encouragment.  Please allow your child freedom to make choices and errors!  That is how we all learn!  Rarely, if ever, should you show your child how to do something that I have assigned.  If your child is having problems, encourage them to figure things out on his/her own.  When your child comes to lessons, I will then know what I need to teach and where I can help.  You can always call me or email me if your child is having a difficult time with something I have assigned.
  • Don’t answer questions for your child during lessons.  I ask specific questions to help your child problem solve and discover the piano on his/her own!