Practice Makes Permanent: Making Music Practice Fun and Meaningful

I learned an important life lesson while trying to get my youngest child to practice her instrument. I suggested, like so many parents do, that practice was necessary because it would make her better. At 10 years old, her reply stopped me in my tracks:  “Practice makes permanent, not perfect.”

She was right. If she learned anything early on in her music lessons, that was it.

The way a child practices can shape the habits, mindset, and skills they carry forward. When kids practice aimlessly or play mindlessly through their music, they’re not building better musicianship. They're simply reinforcing whatever is already there, good or bad. That’s why making practice intentional, engaging, and even fun is so critical.

Before diving into your child’s practice routine, start by helping them fall in love with music. Music is everywhere, on TV, in video games, at the grocery store, and kids are constantly surrounded by it. So why not use that to your advantage?

Play fun tunes in the car, background music during dinner, or a favorite song during story time. Share the music you love, and ask them what they like too. Now and then, listen to their music, and try pointing out what you enjoy about it rather than offering criticism.

When music feels like a fun, everyday part of life, not just something to “practice,” kids are way more likely to stay curious and excited about it.

Here are a few ways you can help your child practice their instrument.

Practice with Purpose

Whether your child is five or fifteen, a goal for each practice session is essential. Without a clear objective, practice can become mechanical and ineffective. Instead of saying, “Go practice for 15 minutes,” try something more specific like, “Let’s work on getting that tricky passage in measure 12 smoother,” or “Can you play those first four lines without stopping?”

Focused practice leads to meaningful progress and less frustration for everyone involved.

Small Chunks Go a Long Way

For beginners, just 10 minutes of concentrated effort can be incredibly productive. Older or more experienced students might aim to master 10 lines of music, which could take 30 to 40 minutes. The key is not how long you practice, but how well you practice.

Taking music in bite-sized pieces helps make progress feel achievable. It also builds confidence, which is a powerful motivator for kids.

Gamify It!

Let’s face it: self-motivated discipline isn’t first nature for most kids. That’s why it’s up to families to create positive, engaging environments around music. Turn practice into a game using whatever method works best for you. These are a few examples.

• Use stickers or charts to track progress

• Time challenges (how many clean runs can you do in 5 minutes?)

• Earn points toward a fun reward

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When practice is fun, kids are more likely to stick with it. They might even look forward to it.

Respect Your Child’s Rhythms

Just like adults, kids have natural rhythms throughout the day when they focus better or feel more energized. For younger children, earlier in the day might be better. For older kids, after school or after a break might be ideal. Experiment to see when practice feels least like a battle and stick to that time of day.

Make Practice a Priority

It helps to treat practice like any other important part of your child’s day, like doing homework, playing a sport or socializing with friends. Dedicate a specific time and place for it. If it’s “whenever we have time,” it probably won’t happen. But if it’s part of the daily routine, it becomes second nature.

Having a consistent practice space also makes a difference, whether it’s a corner in the living room or a full music room, a dedicated spot signals that this is a space where creativity and focus happen.

Leaving the child’s instrument out in a safe space might also lend itself to your child picking up the instrument more often for a quick song or a few bars. 

Teach Ownership

By age 10 or 11, it’s important for kids to understand that what they put in is what they get out. Parental support matters a lot in the early years, but over time, that motivation needs to come from within. Help your child reflect on their progress and set their own goals. That’s how true discipline and a lasting love for music is born.

Put Forth a Little Effort Yourself

Learn the basics of your child’s instrument. How should they hold it? How should they sit or stand? Remind them of these things while they are practicing and compliment them when they are doing it properly.

Show your interest by asking questions about what they are learning, whether it is challenging for them, does it hold their interest, is it fun and how do they think they are doing with it? 

In the End... Music isn’t just about perfect performances, it’s about the journey, the discipline, the fun, and the joy of expressing something deeper. So the next time you sit down with your child to practice, remember to make it focused, intentional, and above all, make it fun.

What ideas do you have for making practice more fun? We'd love to hear about it!