At ComposeCreate® free webinars, we love to open the floor for teachers to share their best tips and tricks with each other! It’s such a fun way to spark camaraderie and share what we do in our studios with each other. Idea Share #17 featured the question, “How do you engage parents in their students’ practice?”
But just in case you missed the new music releases that were featured at the August 2025 webinar, here they are:
- Wendy Stevens released eleven new pieces in the August 2025 Bundle – plus a special bonus!
- New authentic jazz from Jeremy Siskind: Hot Take
- New Color Music series of Music Achievement Cards!
- New Little Fuzzies pieces, and more!
Read about all the new releases here!
How do teachers engage parents in their kids’ practice?
We love hearing from you. That’s why the Idea Share is always a highlight of ComposeCreate® webinars. Here’s a few featured comments we chose, but click the button below to get all the fabulous ideas!
- Natalie: I do a big kickoff event at the beginning of the fall semester when all the families get together, I announce our theme for the year, and the students and parents get excited about the goals they’ll be working on for the year and check in throughout the year.
- Kelli: I have a monthly studio newsletter, and I’ll sometimes include a practice challenge, or a quick tip.
- Sherri: I just sent out email to my parents about ways to be involved. Keep the piano open. Ask them to play a favorite piece. Set a regular practice time with them.
- Dianne: Regarding practice, I remind parents that practice doesn’t always sound pretty and help them understand that concept.
- Nancy: Short video clips of us (duet) or my hands (doing a focused part) sent during the lesson. Create a practice plan. Choose 4 realistic days a week and I decide how many minutes they have each day.
You can get ALL the ideas teachers shared here:
What’s a Piano Teaching Idea Share?
Here’s the general of the Idea Share. During the webinar, we ask teachers to answer a question that we think would benefit all piano teachers. After receiving answers from both webinar sessions, we compile them all into a free downloadable PDF so that you have access to ideas from the entire ComposeCreate® piano teaching community!
Get all the past Idea Shares here!
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #1- Encouraging books, creative ideas, injecting energy, online games
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #2 – How teachers are lightening their load
- Rhythm Idea Share #3 – Teaching rhythm
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #4 – Gadgets and gizmos, lifesaving ideas, marketing ideas
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #5 – Taking care of yourself and Energizing Ideas
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #6 – What are you excited about and Best Marketing Tips
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #7 – Student holiday gift suggestions and Making the holidays less stressful
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #8 – What new things are you doing and Adding a Composer of the Month to your studio
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #9 – How does surprise enhance students’ learning?
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #10 – How would you introduce this piece to students?
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #11 – How can we make holiday recitals easier?
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #12 – 2024 Excitement and How do you connect music and art?
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #13 – Favorite Office Supplies for Teaching
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #14 – What is working well in your studio?
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #15 – What is your favorite holiday or Christmas album?
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #16 – How do you get your students to practice?
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I try several things. 1. For beginners, I send home an article for parents to read which explains how they can be involved in their students’ learning.
2. Occasionally, I invite the parent into a lesson to see what the student is learning. That way they can hear at home what they heard in the lesson.
3. Each student gets an assignment sheet each week, showing what the should practice.
4. Occasionally, I video the student playing a piece and send it to the parents to hear their progress.
I try several things. 1. For beginners, I send home an article for parents to read which explains how they can be involved in their students’ learning.
2. Occasionally, I invite the parent into a lesson to see what the student is learning. That way they can hear at home what they heard in the lesson.
3. Each student gets an assignment sheet each week, showing what the should practice.
4. Occasionally, I video the student playing a piece and send it to the parents to hear their progress.
5. I encourage the parents to comment on their child’s playing to assure them they are listening and proud of what they are doing.