| I will be the first to admit that I'm not a parenting coach. | | | | their effort in making me do just that. |
| Not even close. Listening Owl has some very qualified | | | | The following are some tips that I think parents should |
| parenting coaches, but I am not one of them. I can | | | | consider when encouraging their kids to play an |
| simply recognize when great parenting has made a | | | | instrument: |
| positive and lasting impact on my life. One such act of | | | | 1. Let the child help pick the instrument. |
| parenting was made by my parents when they | | | | I would wholeheartedly recommend the guitar or piano, |
| encouraged me to learn to play an instrument. | | | | but you need to make sure your child is interested and |
| I was ten years old when my parents, moved in large | | | | has an early passion for the instrument. I know I |
| part by my step-father, gave me my first Takamine | | | | probably wouldn't have lasted long if I was forced to |
| crème-colored electric guitar. I remember vividly its | | | | play the trombone as a child... |
| smooth lines and maple fret board. It was love at first | | | | 2. Allow for good practice. |
| sight! I began learning with some lessons and a | | | | Set up a special place in the house where the child |
| Teach-Yourself-Guitar book and would practice for | | | | doesn't feel like a nuisance when they practice. If they |
| hours in our basement. | | | | are learning to play an electric instrument (guitar or |
| By middle school I had found other friends that played | | | | keyboard) it is OK to get headphones for the child, but |
| guitar, bass, and drums and we started our first | | | | don't make them practice with headphones all the time. |
| garage band (honestly more like a carport band). Our | | | | A two hour window per day where headphones don't |
| mighty efforts culminated in playing at our 8th grade | | | | need to be worn is perfect. You don't want to make |
| graduation's Battle of the Bands. It was quite an | | | | them feel like they are closed off to the outside world |
| experience for our young band! | | | | every time they want to practice. |
| The benefits of learning to play an instrument cannot | | | | 3. Provide some lessons. |
| be overstated. It instilled in me a sense of confidence. It | | | | All children learn differently. Some learn best with a |
| helped me learn the importance of seeing a task | | | | teacher, while others are better at learning through |
| through and gave me a unique attribute. It is my opinion | | | | self-study. Be attentive to your child's learning needs |
| that now, more than ever, kids can greatly benefit | | | | and help move them in the direction in which they can |
| from turning off the Xbox or PlayStation and picking | | | | flourish. |
| up an instrument. I know I thank my parents often for | | | | |