Hello November and the Post-Halloween Slump!

I hope you and your family had a fun and festive Halloween!

As we settle into November, it’s common for young pianists to experience a bit of a “post-Halloween slump.” After the excitement of costumes, treats, and late nights, children often feel a dip in energy and focus, which can impact their motivation to practice. This lull is natural. However, with a few thoughtful approaches, we can help re-energize their energy for music and inspire consistent practice habits.

Here are some common reasons for the post-Halloween blues and ways you can creatively encourage your child to practice—whether you’re a working parent or at home during practice time.

• Energy Dips: After the Halloween excitement, children may feel a bit drained, over-sugared, or simply needing to shift back into the more common routine.

• Busy Fall Schedule: Altternatively, as school workloads pick up and other school-related or after-school activities need to be juggled, students as well as parents can feel stretched thin.

• Transition into Holiday Mode: The excitement of the holidays is beginning to build, creating a bit of distraction and adding even preparatory activities for holiday events

All of these elements can combine to make piano practice difficult for students and parents.

Here’s how you can help support your child during this time—without needing to carve out extra hours from your busy schedule.

1. Make it Routine, Not a Chore

   
   

   Children thrive on routine, so consider finding a set time each day for piano. It could be a few minutes before school, after breakfast or dinner, or right before or after they finish their homework. Knowing that it’s “piano time” every day makes practice part of the day’s rhythm, rather than a choice they have to negotiate each time.

   
   

   Parent Tip: For many elementary students, piano practice before homework works better, as the piano practice time can be managed as a known, fixed amount of time, and not relegated to the tail end of every day homework.

   
   
   
   

2. Small, Manageable Goals

   
   

   Encourage your student to break their practice down into achievable sections. For example, playing just the first line of a piece five times or focusing on one tricky section for a few minutes is much easier for a child to tackle than a full practice session. Celebrate these small successes to build momentum.

   
   

3. Create a Mini-Recital Schedule

   
   

   If your child enjoys performing or demonstrating, you might plan for short, mini-recitals where they can play just one or two pieces for you or other family members. These “home concerts” could happen every Friday evening or over the weekend, making practice feel purposeful and rewarding.

   
   

4. Reward Progress, Not Perfection

   
   

   Praise the effort, consistency, and growth rather than aiming for flawless pieces. Recognizing their effort builds confidence and makes them more likely to sit down at the piano keyboard on their own.

   
   

5. Make Use of Technology

   
   

   Record short videos of your student playing and share these with family members who may not be able to attend a formal recital. They can receive positive feedback and encouragement from grandparents, aunts, and uncles, giving them motivation to keep improving.

   
   

6. Use a Practice Chart with Fun Incentives

   
   

   For young children, creating a simple chart with special stickers or small rewards can go a long way. Set weekly goals, and allow them to earn stickers for each day they practice, leading up to a special treat at the end of the week. Be sure to point out the number of stickers collected so that they can visually see their progress.

   
   

7. Invite a Favorite Stuffed Animal as a Practice Buddy

   
   

   Bring a bit of companionship to practice by inviting your child’s favorite stuffed animal to “attend” each session. They can choose a different “practice buddy” for each day of the week or select a few special ones to rotate through the week. This simple addition can make practice time feel more playful and fun, and they’ll enjoy “performing” for their new audience. You could even ask them to give their stuffed animal a little “recap” of what they practiced that day—it’s a fun way to reinforce what they’ve learned!

   
   

As we move toward the holiday season, let’s keep the focus on progress, joy, and the sense of accomplishment that music brings. With these gentle but effective nudges, I’m confident we’ll soon see the post-Halloween “blahs” give way to renewed excitement for their music.

Thank you for your support and dedication. With a little structure and encouragement, we can keep your child’s piano journey rewarding and inspiring!