Practice or Playtime? How to Tell If Your Child Is Really Practicing Music

Practice or Playtime? How to Tell If Your Child Is Really Practicing Music 🎶

So, your child sits down at the piano (or picks up their guitar), and for 30 minutes, they’re “practicing.” But… are they really? Or are they just playing the easy parts over and over, messing around with random notes, or (let’s be honest) turning practice into a mini concert for themselves?

If you’ve ever wondered whether your child’s music practice is actually productive, here’s how to tell—and how to help them make the most of their time!

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1. Are They Playing the Whole Song from Start to Finish? 🚦

This might look impressive, but it’s actually a sneaky way to avoid real practice! If they’re breezing through without stopping, they’re likely just playing what they already know well. Instead, real practice focuses on the tricky sections —stopping, slowing down, and repeating difficult parts until they improve.

✅ What to watch for: Short bursts of repetition on specific problem spots.

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2. Do They Stop and Fix Mistakes? 🛠

If your child is playing through errors without stopping, they’re not really practicing—they’re just reinforcing mistakes! Effective practice means pausing to correct mistakes right when they happen, not just rushing ahead.

✅ What to watch for: Slowing down after a mistake and trying again.

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3. Are They Using a Metronome or a Practice Plan? ⏳

A metronome is a telltale sign of serious practice—it means they’re working on rhythm and control. Similarly, following a teacher’s practice plan (like scales, warm-ups, and exercises before jumping into songs) is a great sign that they’re taking their practice seriously.

✅ What to watch for: Using tools like a metronome or sheet music notes.

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4. Are They Playing the Fun Parts Only? 🎭

We get it—some sections of a piece are just more fun than others! But if your child is only playing the intro or the easiest part, they might be avoiding the challenging bits. Encouraging them to tackle the harder sections first will help them improve faster.

✅ What to watch for: Spending time on the hardest parts first, not last!

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5. Are They Focused—or Just "Making Music"? 🎧

There’s a big difference between structured practice and just noodling around. If your child is experimenting with sounds instead of following a clear plan, they might be having fun (which is great!), but it’s not necessarily improving their skills.

✅ What to watch for: A balance—some structured practice time, and then some free play.

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How to Help Your Child Practice Smarter

💡 Set small goals: Instead of "play for 30 minutes," try "master these four bars."

💡 Encourage slow practice: Playing slower helps fix mistakes faster!

💡 Ask them to explain what they’re practicing: If they can explain it, they understand it.

💡 Celebrate effort, not just performance: Progress matters more than perfection!

With a little guidance, you can help your child turn their practice time into real progress—without the “fake” practice sneaking in! 🚀🎶