Vacation. It’s something each of us looks forward to each year.
It’s a time to step away from the normal routines. It’s a time when you can leave your regular chores at home, and do something different for a bit. It gives you a chance to relax, unwind, and refresh yourself so you can jump back into life with more energy.
While adults need time away from the regular routine of work, kids need a chance to kick back and take it easy as well. They may have several weeks off from school, but what about the rest of their normal routine?
Your kids may enjoy playing the piano. And if they do, there’s no reason to stop them from playing. But would a vacation from the usual routine be good for them?
Risks from taking too much time off
There’s always a debate on summer vacations away from school. Is several months off too long? The same concept can be applied to piano lessons. If you take extended time away from practice, you can:
Lose your skill – just as you’re mastering new concepts, you step away and forget the intricate details of what you’ve learned.
Lose momentum – as you gain new techniques, it’s easier to apply it to new concepts and ideas. When you step away, you lose the ability to push forward.
Weaken memory – playing every day and practicing regularly works your memory muscle. When you take away the routine, you break the habit and fall into new routines.
When kids take too much time away from their practice, they are more likely never to return. The catch-up process can be difficult at best.
Change the routine instead
For many parents that want to continue to push their child into music, they look for different routines rather than letting music lessons fall to the wayside.
How can you take a break from the regular routine, yet leave piano an active part of your lives?
Change the structure of the lessons – lessons might be short events after school. Why not make them longer events in the morning? Or change locations for something new?
How about group lessons – check with your current instructor – is there a way your child can play with a larger group for more variety? This may even be a summer camp or other activity that allows them to experience music in a new way.
Change it up – while your child might get into more music theory during school sessions, maybe vacation time is a time to play something fun. Does your child have special requests? Have they been asking for specific songs? Find it and build those into the routine.
How have you kept piano lessons in your routine, even when you’re on a break? Do you step away from piano lessons regularly? How do you get back into the routine?
