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From: jp@faron.UUCP (Jeffrey Picciotto)
Newsgroups: net.kids
Subject: Re: How do I get my 6 yr old to practic
Message-ID: <348@faron.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 17-Sep-85 12:49:12 EDT
Article-I.D.: faron.348
Posted: Tue Sep 17 12:49:12 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 19-Sep-85 03:31:36 EDT
References: <2578@pegasus.UUCP> <700006@ccvaxa>
Organization: The MITRE Coporation, Bedford, MA
Lines: 37

> We have used a wide range of strategies to keep our daughter
> practicing, ranging from simple coercion and browbeating to
> blatant bribery. ...
> -- 
> scott preece
> ihnp4!uiucdcs!ccvaxa!preece


I must admit that I'm confused.

While there are some obvious benefits to encouraging a child to practice
and work to achieve something difficult (esp something that requires
determination and long-term comittment) why must it be something the
child dislikes?

If coercion/browbeating/bribery are necessary to get the kid to practice,
perhaps a different activity is in order?

As a kid I was "forced" to take piano lessons.  I didn't like them.  I did
not practice.  The result was that many years (and $$) later, I was still
relatively terrible.  So who, save the teacher, benefited from this fiasco?

I think that the time/effort/$$ could be better spent trying to find an
equivalent activty that the child will enjoy.


Jeff Picciotto
  sdl@mit-oz.arpa
  id.jeff@mit-xx.arpa
  ...!decvax!linus!faron!jp


Disclaimer:

	I am not a father.  I never have been.
	I do not know how to spell.  I don't mind.
	My employer doesn't care what I think.