Recently one of my piano parents wisely commented that it’s important to be positive even when we don’t see the positive results. The truth is, each individual is so unique with so much potential for creativity in many areas of life but few achieve all potential in every category. Sometimes I have a piano student who yearns to do a different musical instrument (or none) and rejects all my creative, majical efforts to produce a positive piano experience. 
I have had one of my own children in that catagory. It is very difficult for a parent when a child chooses to march to a different type of creativity than that which the parent imagined would be so wonderful. One of my children rejected all my efforts to share my love for the piano. He was willing to be in band, as a drummer, for 4 years. As he entered 8th grade he left music behind and began taking art classes. He is very talented in ceramics and photography. He hated English, but loves to write creative thoughts and stories. He hated math but is skilled in designing and building wood projects of all kinds. He marches to the beat of a different drummer – and he’s amazing!
The most important musical lesson in life is to be aware – to notice – to recognize the amazing positive characteristics of our children. In piano practice the child will often lead us, if we let them, to the next step of learning when they are ready. It is up to the teacher and parent to be patient and remember there is no deadline for ability development. If ability development deadends in one area, notice another positive area and open the door to the wonders of your child.
I must add that this same son ocassionally goes to the piano and creates original music and has also taught himself part of “Moonlight Sonata”. As I attended numerous piano workshops for so many years, I heard positive stories of students who returned to piano creativity after a period of no practice. I actually had a teen age student return to me many years ago after a 2 year break during which her mother required her to practice church hymns. She struggled greatly with playing but by working in the hymnbook greatly improved her sight reading skills. The wonderful thing is, all piano lessons are beneficial in some area of a child’s life even if formal lessons stop.
The child who has had piano lessons has music within that will benefit in unlimited ways.
