ow do I make my child practice the piano more?
This is by far the number one question parents ask me. My real answer is this: “You don’t force them, you offer music the way you offer story time, play time, 
and yummy treats.” No one likes to be forced to do anything, even something they like. What if your favorite food was chocolate cake, and someone tried to make you eat an enormous chocolate cake every day?
Humans usually respond to force with resistance. Even if it’s something they like.
What if instead your baby saw you delightedly eating chocolate cake? They’d be reaching for your spoon. And for the plate! And if you let them have a little taste, chances are they’d want more!
Here’s something you Can do to help your child learn to love playing the piano:
Practice the piano yourself!
Little kids, especially babies, want to be just like their favorite grown-ups! When your baby sees you practicing the piano, making mistakes and being okay with it, and improving, they’ll want to do the same thing.
When you show your baby that you love to learn, and that playing music is fun, you’ll inspire them. Inviting them to join in when they want to will let them in on the fun you’re having, and they’ll feel special, and connected to you. When kids start their lives having warm, safe emotions associated with things that may otherwise seem challenging, they’ll be more inclined to take the challenge. When they have memories embedded in their minds of sweet times with you at the piano, they’ll want to return again and again.
Kids who are offered music practice the way you offer dessert, or a favorite story, or time together dreaming of possibilities, naturally want to join in the fun! They feel safe trying new things, making mistakes, and they feel an intrinsic desire to play more music. They Want to improve, and they do. Because it’s fun!
Most importantly, music is a wonderful means of communication, and can communicate “I love you” to your kids in ways nothing else can.
