Even the most ambitious kids get lazy about practicing their scales. How do you avoid a tug-of-war when boredom sets in on daily drills?

• Don’t Force It. You can’t force a child play an instrument or take lessons. But if a preschooler shows an early interest, buy her a toy piano or enroll her in a baby ballet class. “It shouldn’t be a power struggle, it should be fun.'"
• Shop Around. Just because a teacher is a good match for one child, that doesn’t mean he’ll be right for yours. Parents should sit in on lessons to make sure there’s good chemistry between teacher and student. It’s not the student’s fault if she’s not conquering a particular piece. It’s the job of the teacher to see to it that the child doesn’t become bored. The child may just need more challenges.
• Create Flexible Practice Schedules. Practicing every day should be nonnegotiable. However, the child should decide how long to practice. A few minutes every day is better than an hour once a week.