How You Fit In

Always keep in mind that your support is a key element in your child`s success with music study.  Music achievement requires effort over an extended period of time.  You can help your child by:

* Providing a quiet place in which to practice
* Remaining nearby during practice times as often as possible
* Scheduling a consistent, daily time for practice
* Praising your child`s efforts and achievements (it's sometimes not pretty - every musician had a few squaks and squeaks along the way!)

What To Do
To give your child the best possible support, you should:
* Offer compliments and encourage regularly.
* Expose your child to a wide variety of music, including concerts and recitals.
* Encourage your child to talk with you about his or her lesson/what they did in band.
* Make sure your child`s instrument is always in good working order.
* Allow your child to play many types of music, not just study or "band" pieces. (There are lots available online, or you can ask Ms. Penwell to send some home).
* Listen to your child practice, acknowledge improvement.


What Not To Do
Your child`s progress will be greatly enhanced if you:
* Don't t use practice as a punishment
* Don't  insist your child play for others when they don`t want to.
* Don't  ridicule or make fun of mistakes or less-than-perfect playing.
*Don't start you child on an instrument that is in poor condition.
*Don't expect rapid progress and development in the beginning.

If your child loses interest
In the event your child loses interest in his or her music studies, don`t panic.
* Discuss the situation with your child to determine why their interest is declining.
* Talk to Ms. Penwell to see what might be done to rekindle their enthusiasm.
* Encourage your child to stick with lessons for an agreed to period of time.
* Offer increased enthusiasm.