Turn Your Next Play Date or Family Get-Together Into a Piano Recital Once your child has mastered the first several songs in the music book, consider planning a recital for friends or family. The opportunity to perform for an audience will boost your child’s confidence and reinforce the importance of regular practice.

Depending on your child, the audience might consist of parents and siblings after dinner followed by a special dessert or grandparents on a Sunday afternoon. Encourage family members to sing along to the familiar tunes as your child plays. This will help your child with the rhythm.

Also consider standing close by or sitting on the piano bench with your child during the performance. Young children often lose their place in the music, especially if they’re a little nervous. Be ready to point to the notes moving along as your child plays if necessary.

Lesson Six in our Parent/Teacher guide includes a sample scrapbook page to preserve the memories of your child’s first recital. Remember to keep it light and fun. Pile on the praise and applause after each song. Your child will beam with pride.

If you have regular play dates with a group of moms and kids, planning an afternoon to showcase the children’s accomplishments makes for a memorable event. Other children might want to bring artwork they’re proud of or even a special Lego creation.

You’ll probably want to limit your child’s performance to 2-3 songs for this audience. The other kids will be familiar with these songs and sing along as your child plays. Consider making a simple comment book by folding and stapling construction paper with each child’s name on the front. Ask the moms to make positive comments about each child’s performance or creation in the books. These comments make a great take home gift for the moms and are confidence boosters for the kids.

Regardless of the audience or the outcome of the event, the opportunity to play for a friendly audience will motivate your child to continue learning. Turning your next family get-together or play date into a piano recital is the perfect opportunity to showcase your child’s accomplishments.

Angie

P.S. I love to hear your stories about first recitals and to see pictures of the kids performing. Please keep them coming.