Motivating a tricky 3 year old...

After being motivated by Hellene's video call, I am now going to restart trying to teach piano in very small sections to my challenging DD. As a background, her default is "no" but with patience, and persistence she has learned many things (she can now read quite well and her maths is improving too using an abacus)

So... I think maybe she is ready to have another try with Soft Mozart. WE have been using Little Musician and she does enjoy that (with a little resistance). She likes singing solfege and playing do to do on the keyboard when she chooses to do so.

I have a question about the butterflies / etc. Does everyone give one per point on the games or just one per practice session? My DD does not usually follow a logical system!!! It sounds crazy but I can't quite work out how best to use these rewards to motivate her. I can get some treats that she can start to earn using her butterflies...

How is everyone else managing this with younger children who don't entirely follow the concept of one butterfly per point? Or am I not giving her enough credit??

I am excited to try but also a little nervous. WE have had some big disasters trying new things (mainly classes outside the home) recently and they have upset us all a bit.

Thanks Manda. It's been a tough few weeks with a lot of tears (all round) trying to beat separation anxiety and adjust to various classes. I've taken a long hard look at our week (I work 3 days so we have only limited time) and cut back to swimming (for my 14 month baby as well!) plus a drop in soft play / gymnastics session that again both can participate in our local gym club.

This gives us a little more time to focus on learning activities at home including piano of course. Also she has just dropped her afternoon nap and this also makes time a bit less tight.

So I have printed out on card stock some butterflies and cupcakes. I was trying to improvise today and found some colourful mini bath salts that I was able to offer and caught her imagination! I also timed it just before we were due to go to the park ("we can go to the park after finishing....").

Hellene suggested going out of the room and leaving her to it. I tried this but we had tears and she wanted me to come back in!

Anyway, first attempt at HCB today was R1 8/15 t87. I was considering cutting to just 6 notes but I wanted to see if she could stretch a bit further. If things get tricky we can cut down.

If we keep it up then I will set up a progress diary! It can't be every day due to work. I'd like to aim for 3 days a week to start with.

I do hope we won't both be disappointed again. I think now is a better time then when we tried in the past as she's much more amenable to learning. We are making steady progress in maths and reading too!

hellene wrote:

lzp11 wrote: After being motivated by Hellene's video call, I am now going to restart trying to teach piano in very small sections to my challenging DD. As a background, her default is "no" but with patience, and persistence she has learned many things (she can now read quite well and her maths is improving too using an abacus)

So... I think maybe she is ready to have another try with Soft Mozart. WE have been using Little Musician and she does enjoy that (with a little resistance). She likes singing solfege and playing do to do on the keyboard when she chooses to do so.

Thanks Hellene! I think we were both posting at the exact same time

Do you give her butterflies for that? Please, do!

I have a question about the butterflies / etc. Does everyone give one per point on the games or just one per practice session?

If to start with tiny steps, start giving a butterfly for each point! Later we can gradually change the strategy.

My DD does not usually follow a logical system!!! It sounds crazy but I can't quite work out how best to use these rewards to motivate her. I can get some treats that she can start to earn using her butterflies...

Yes, to start her notebook with collection of different stickers could be a good idea. 10 butterflies - 1 sticker, for example

How is everyone else managing this with younger children who don't entirely follow the concept of one butterfly per point? Or am I not giving her enough credit??

She is smart. You are taking it for granted Reward her for ANY right intellectual move! Praise every achievement and volunteering attempt. For some reason many parents ( including myself) always noticing, if something is going wrong, but when child is GOOD, we take it for granted.

I am excited to try but also a little nervous. WE have had some big disasters trying new things (mainly classes outside the home) recently and they have upset us all a bit.

Lee, may I suggest? Our goal is not to achieve a goal now, but start enjoying the experience of learning. Please, take it easy. Positive aura should be around any learning at home environment. Your DD should never leave the comfort zone with you! I think, she is very smart, but doesn't want to be pushed to do something.

Thanks Hellene! I think we were both posting at the exact same time