Asking a young child to sight-read can often be a difficult task. Parents with a child in music lessons can get frustrated because the child lacks the motivation to read/play what was assigned or they often forget which notes are which on the staff. The students can become frustrated with themselves as well, and this is a slippery slope. As negative emotions well up, the child becomes less motivated, and the less effective the piano practice. The best student is a happy student!
While there are many note reading methods and games, they all boil down to the same approach. A note is presented and the student is asked to name it. If the student is struggling however, perhaps the approach needs to change.
Here are some important things to remember during practice with your child:
Play Children learn through play. Make anything and everything a game.
Simplify you cannot add more until they feel empowered about something they have already learned. The real progress begins when a child sees his/her own growth and feels competent in what he is learning. It’s important to tap into their internal motivation
Create children are always being told exactly what to do, they are copying so much in the developmental ages of 3-10. Should a student start to “shut off” and you feel like as you speak nothing is getting through, the best antidote is to ask them to be more involved in the actual learning process. Get the child to have an input in how they will achieve their own learning goal. This teaches them that they too are responsible for their own learning success. A motivated child will learn and retain 10x better than a child who feels inadequate and is eager to escape the lesson.
Try this:
Ask your child to create a song (any combination of notes will do) and as they choose each note, ask them to write it down. Then ask them to play back their song. Keep it extremely positive and easy for them.
Here is a link to sheet music you can print out: https://b570f299d8a96ff32c59-2e725a51007a5cce3182c57bd45640f2.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/pdf/grand-staff-paper.pdf
This is a creative activity! So don’t add pressure but keep it as light and fun for your child as possible. I’ve noticed a huge improvement with my students after using this activity.
Music Roots 