When it comes to forming healthy habits, children often require a little extra guidance. Whether that be choosing a healthy snack over junk food, finishing their homework before playing with friends, or practicing their instrument before their next music lesson, parents frequently find themselves reminding their children of what they should be doing. But even with the best of intentions, these reminders become contentious quickly. Finding a ten year old that voluntarily finishes every chore every day with no complaints is tantamount to unearthing the holy grail, so frequent reminders of responsibilities can quickly devolve into what every parent dreads; nagging.
Both parents and children disdain nagging, and it often achieves the opposite of its intended effect. According to Robert Meyers of empoweringparents.com, nagging often feels like “manipulation” to the recipient, and no one likes being controlled, so the recipient is more likely to “dig their heels in” and resist instead of acquiescing to the command (Myers). Nagging can also create genuine dislike for both the person doing the nagging, and the task the recipient is being asked to complete (Myers). Combining these two phenomena results in quite the contentious combo, and the consequences of nagging are often seen in children forming practice habits with music.
In order to become a skilled musician, students must put forth consistent quality effort in practice. Children, as previously established, tend to lack that level of commitment to anything, let alone a difficult skill like learning an instrument. In turn, according to conversations the My Music Bridge team had with parents, parents feel they need to step in and manage their child’s practice schedule. This can quickly devolve into nagging, which turns music from an interest a child had, and something their parents are looking to encourage, into just another argument. The good news is this cycle need not continue on its negative path. With a little assistance from technology, parents can avoid another heated moment, and instead pass the responsibility to our app.
In the My Music Bridge app, students and parents together can set up a personalized practice schedule. This allows the parent to rest easy knowing their child’s practice is set, and it allows the student to feel that they are in control of their practice time, not their parents. When the scheduled time comes, My Music Bridge will send a push notification to the student, reminding them that they set this time aside to practice, and it’s time to sit down and play. This can reduce the parent’s daily aggravation, and minimizes the opportunity for confrontation between parent and student.
Now obviously kids are still kids, and parents are still parents. Moments of friction in the home are inevitable regardless of how well parents and their children get along. Learning an instrument is still hard, and moments of frustration will still occur. But, thanks to technology and an engaging animated monkey named Moe, My Music Bridge can increase the odds that the student feels in control, more confident in their practice process, and more likely to practice without their parent’s input. We hope you will give it a try for yourself, and use this as one more tool to maintain your child’s musical dreams.
