Ive been teaching piano for many years and I have found a great way to encourage my young students to practice. During group piano lessons I put a practice pal on each students piano. This year at the beginning of the school year I gave each student a special gift a Piano Practice Pal for their piano at home. A Piano Practice Pal is a sweet little stuffed animal friend that students take home and put on their piano to keep them company while they practice. When a piano student accomplishes a new goal that is challenging for them I enjoy giving them a new piano practice pal in a different color to add to the collection on their piano at home. Children ages 5 to 11 as well as older children enjoy this special recognition and encouragement.

Some parents and piano teachers may think this is unnecessary because students dont need things to get them to practice. Well Im not trying to get students to practice by bribing them with toys. Im just showing them how they can make their piano practice time even more enjoyable. Why shouldnt piano practice be a fun as possible! Some of my students even like to talk to their practice pals from time to time during their practice. Other students practice pals become piano student Cheer Leaders. Ive even composed a song for my young students called the Piano Practice Pal Cheer!

My work is never done, I will always give a cheer - Whoooo! My piano students near and so very, very dear Whooo!

Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Way to Go! Thats the way to be an Ace, its much more work to make a face!

My work is never done, I will always give a cheer Whoooo! My piano students near and so very, very dear Whoooo!

Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, P-i-a-n-o! Im such a chum to listen, pal, so please dont ever go!

Stay and have more music fun with your P i a n o, Chum, Chum, Chum.

I love helping children achieve their musical dreams by making piano lessons both challenging and fun! And you can too...