I don’t know about you, but I have felt *adrift* this summer. With no regular schedule and long weekends, I actually found it more difficult to make time for the things that I’d like to get done. Where did the time go? I honestly don’t know.
Getting back into a regular schedule is simultaneously a shock to the system and incredibly refreshing. We have work time, school time, rest time, play time… designated blocks of time to do the things we want to do.
Changes in schedule also happen to be the perfect time to start a new habit, and work the new habit into the new schedule, right when it’s being created. When would be the best time to practice piano? Is the student a morning person (bless their hearts)? Maybe they can get it out of the way early. Is the student more energized in the evenings? Maybe they get to practice right after dinner. Is it easier for the student to roll right from school and straight into practice?
Find the perfect time of day, and create a habit early in the school year, before their habit becomes something else. Watching TV, iPad time, and video games all get their place, but so does building the skills that bring a student a sense of accomplishment and pride.
I recommend that students practice at least five days a week. The length of practice time can depend on their age, ability to focus, their goals, and length of lesson. And, some days may allow for more practice time than others. Starting small (10 to 15 minutes) and building can be a good idea, to avoid overwhelm. Let me know if you’d like to talk about appropriate practice time for a student each week.