Music Practice Chart for Kids
There’s a reason checkoff charts are so popular to use with kids. Chore charts, gold star reading charts—it’s human nature to enjoy checking off a box, or for kids, getting a sweet sticker. Today I’m offering a printable music practice check-off chart to track your kids’ music practice.
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Between my husband and I, we took over 23 years of piano lessons. Although I don’t play much now, I am glad my parents didn’t allow me to quit. There are many studies about the value of music instruction in brain development. Research has shown that children who play an instrument have improved language development, spatial intelligence, and test scores, Read more about the benefits of music education in this article from PBS.
I have two daughters taking piano lessons and one taking guitar, and let’s be real…it is no easy task to get them to practice. Sometimes, the problem isn’t even their reluctance to practice. Our schedule simply gets overloaded some weeks and the days slip by until lesson day is TOMORROW!
USING A CHECKOFF CHART
I created this music practice checkoff chart to keep track of their practice times. One of my kiddos likes to put smiley face stickers on hers and the other two keep it simple and just check off the boxes. I usually provide some type of incentive to sweeten the deal. If they practice at least 4 days in a week, they get a small treat, maybe a little candy or a cute bookmark. With a busy schedule of activities, I don’t have a firm expectation that they will practice every day. I’d love to get there, but the reality is that if they are practicing more days than not—I’m good with that.
There are 10 weeks on the chart, which means 70 total possible practice times. If they get 40 spots checked off on their chart, they earn a bigger prize. I might offer a new book, a lip balm, or some other little trinket. I don’t commit to any particular thing, although you certainly could. You could also give a monetary incentive if you wanted to go that route, especially with older kids.
When we first started using these, we posted them on the fridge so they were a visible reminder of needing to practice. Now that the kids are used to them, they stay in their music binders. As a bonus, they know that their music teacher will get to see this chart since they take the music binders to their lessons. A little pressure from an authority figure other than mom can go a long way with kids!
FREE PRINTABLE MUSIC PRACTICE CHART
Grab the printable “Music Practice Checkoff Chart” and you’ll get three pages: “Piano Practice”, “Guitar Practice”, and “Music Practice” so you can use whatever works for you!
Supplies for Little Musicians
Best for older kids: music notebook with 10 staves per page
For younger kids, this musical staff notebook has 5 staves per page
This music notebook has 3 oversized staves per page, suitable for young children
Stickers for piano keys
Page holder music clips
Music book bag
“It is a mistake to think that the practice of my art has become easy to me.” ~ Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
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