Mother Problems by MRS. I. H. E.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 7, 1916

Mother Problems

By MRS. I. H. E.

The Practice Hour

“I AM puzzled to know how to help the children get the most good from their practice periods,” says a busy mother, who is making a real sacrifice to spare the money for her daughters’ lessons. “Agnes has some taste for music, and is very anxious to study it. She is willing to practice — in anticipation — but far from zealous in performance. Many and trivial are the things that constantly interrupt the study hour, and occasionally cancel it entirely. Often she spends more than half the time playing anything and everything except the lesson assigned. Her sister, from the very first, has frankly rebelled against practicing, and never touches the piano for her own pleasure. Getting her through the practice hour — broken into four parts to save her nerves, but adding much strain to mine — is a daily contest. Is it worth while? How can the ordinary mother in the ordinary home so arrange matters as to have the children gain the maximum benefit from the daily practice hour?”

A father and mother who have given a good deal of thought to the questions propounded in the foregoing paragraph, and who have met with a fair measure of success, have kindly written out the following suggestions, embodying the general plan followed in their home:—

The children are required to practice one hour each day during the school year, and two hours during vacation.

Not more than one hour is required at any one period.

The practice hour occupies a definite period each day — as definite as the dinner hour.

It is arranged for as early in the day as possible, and at a time when the room is quiet, so that the child will not be disturbed or tempted to waste time.

It does not come at the time of proper work hours; for it is not a proper education for the child to have the mother do his work while he is practicing.

It is used only for the regular lesson. Other playing is done outside the practice period.

It does not come at a natural play or visiting hour, which would be unnecessarily unpleasant to the child.

Practicing is never required as a punishment, or as a means of keeping a restless child “in hand” or employed.

It is not, and should not be, required of children who are sickly or nervous, or who for any reason might be injured by it.

When, after a fair trial, a child shows no interest in getting his music lesson, the privilege might be withdrawn for a time. By the exercise of tact, the mother may sometimes lead the child to see the benefits and happiness that come through music, and to be willing to make the effort necessary to become proficient in it.

MRS. I. H. E.