We’ve all seen it – you’re in a rush to get your kids out the door to music lessons, and your child suddenly says, “I don’t like piano anymore. I want to quit.” Are they saying this because they’re tired from school and don’t feel like going to lessons right now, or is learning the piano just not something they have an interest in anymore? Here are a few different approaches you can take to reassure your child and encourage them to continue with music lessons. 

What You Can Do As The Parent

One of the first things you can do when your child says they want to quit music lessons is to have a conversation with them! This will help you to understand the reasons behind their desire to quit. As much as we want them to continue, we also have to take into consideration that their interests, like ours, may change over time. Having a conversation about it is a good step towards finding an alternative to stopping lessons altogether, like switching to a different instrument or teacher!

Have An Honest Conversation About Music Lessons

When talking to your child about their music lessons, be sure to: 

• Acknowledge Their Feelings: Validate their emotions, whether it’s frustration, boredom, or feeling overwhelmed. Learning a new instrument is hard, and it’s important to remind them that they won’t be a pro right away – because nobody is!
• Encourage Perseverance: Gently remind them of the benefits of sticking with something, such as developing discipline, confidence, and skill. These are benefits that they will carry with them not only in music lessons, but in other aspects of their life, too. You can also make practice more fun!
• Set Realistic Expectations: Discuss that learning an instrument is a process and setbacks are normal. If they have a favorite singer or band (Taylor Swift, anyone?) it might help to point out that they started out as beginners, too! 

As their parent, you can also provide motivation for them by helping set small, achievable goals to build their confidence and interest in the lessons. If they’re trying to learn something way above their current skill level, it’s easy for them to get discouraged – try helping them focus on the fundamentals first, so that they can move forward in their journey as budding musicians. 

You, Your Child, and Your Child’s Teacher Are a Team! 

Feel free to reach out to the administration at your child’s school, or get support from their teacher when you chat with them after each lesson. Ask the teacher for feedback on your child’s progress and to suggest strategies to keep them engaged – you, your child, and the teacher are all a team, after all! 

If your child wants to quit music lessons, it’s important to listen to their concerns and understand the reasons behind their decision. Remember, even if they switch instruments, teachers, or move on from music all together, the music lessons were always worth it!

Many fundamental aspects of music lessons can overlap into different instruments, such as rhythm and listening skills. Music lessons teach patience, confidence, and other long-term skills that can help students find success in other activities in their lives! Ultimately, fostering a positive relationship with music, free of pressure, can help your child maintain a lifelong love for the art, whether or not they continue lessons.