Parental support is vital for optimal ability development in all areas of life, beginning with birth. I have noticed, both as a parent and as a teacher that children love a smile of encouragement and a cheer of enthusiasm at every stage of development. I have seen infants smile as early as a week old. (no, it is not gas) When the little darling begins to smile, goo, reach, laugh, turn over, crawl, stand, walk, run…we all cheer and clap! No one scolds when a toddler falls, no one scolds when a year old does not enunciate correctly; a 3 year old is not scolded for leaving off words when singing a song; a 5 year old is not scolded when learning how to ride a bike; each small efforts of progress is noticed with joy as ability in these areas develops. Parents are great cheerleaders in natural growth patterns of their children. However, when competition enters into a child’s life, if there is struggle or lack of enough public progress, sometimes the cheerleader becomes the loud voice of criticism instead of the joyful voice of encouragement.
A piano parent has the wonderful opportunity to assist in their child’s creative development from a very young age. Sometimes, a parent does not realize that every effort given to attend lessons and practice with their child creates a foundation that can be built upon. No lesson or practice is ever wasted – it is all a learning experience that will influence the child in many areas of ability development. Music is creativity, but creativity must be developed – it is a path of gradual learning. Sometimes I am asked, “How long will it take before my child can go to the next song or the next book?” Well, that is mostly connected to effort given by student, which is connected to effort given by parent to support and encourage.
My personal experience is that the children who have parental involvement, both in attending lessons and in practicing with their child under the age of 10, will find their child gradually becoming independent at the piano. Occasionally I even have a child of 8 years old who becomes independent when they have had much parental involvement. This is a period of time that can never be recaptured but will always be influential.
Children under the age of 12 should have a consistent practice time for 
a consistent amount of days – never less than 20 to 45 minutes and never less than 4 days a week. Children under the age of 5 should ideally practice twice daily for 5 minutes each time. All ages should have background recordings of practice music as well as other classical music playing softly in the home or car. The “shoulds” are tips for ability development. Parental involvement is an opportunity that is temporary. I will always look back to a time that was so hectic for me as I practiced with and played 4 different recordings of piano music for 5 of my 8 children. It was not a perfect time – in fact it was very frustrating, but it is a cherished memory of a very involved time with my children.(These memories bring a smile and a laugh to my heart – yes I even remember throwing the piano book across the room in frustration.)
There is no deadline for ability development, but time does leave behind opportunities not taken, or carries to the future satisfying memories of opportunities accomplished and attempted, even if imperfect!
