Why You Need a Practice Toolkit

[This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you click on the link and purchase something it doesn’t cost you any extra but it does help support the cost of running the blog.  I only link to items I actually recommend. Thanks for your support!]

One of my biggest tips for helping with home practice for young music students is to build a practice toolkit. Keep reading to find out why and some find great suggestions to include in your own practice toolkit. 

---

What is a practice toolkit? 

Sometimes having a productive practice session comes easily. Other days you may need some additional tools and ideas to help build focus & motivation into music practice.

The younger the student is, the more helpful it is to build a practice toolkit and have it on hand in your practice space.

However, even middle school students enjoy rolling dice for repetitions and using rhythm sticks to count out a difficult rhythm from time to time!

I suggest finding a pencil pouch, small box, or a side table drawer in your practice space to store it.

---

Why do we need one?

During my first 4 lessons with new parents in the studio I primarily focus on supporting parents and caregivers. I want to help prepare each new family to be successful in the upcoming weeks and months.

Each week I assign families a few tasks to do at home that will help them establish good practice habits. These include: listening assignments, finding a practice time each day, and setting up the practice space.

One assignment I give out on week three is to put together home practice toolkit.

This is a collection of items that will give you extra support during practice. Some days you won’t need your practice toolkit. However, other days having these practice aides on hand is a life-saver. 

Some days we need something new and interesting to help keep focus and engagement going.

When we are having one of those practice days there really isn’t time to search all around the house for something to help.

By the time you find something useful, the chance to practice will likely be over.

---

How it works:

The practice toolkit stays right in the practice area. It helps students stay engaged, draw out the number of repetitions they can focus on, and it can help students feel like practice is more interactive and engaging.

That is something I know I needed as a parent. 

What you put in the practice tool kit may change over time depending on your child’s age, interests and just a need for a little variety.

Some items I suggest families put into their toolkit include:

• dice
• game spinners
• small items to count (one for each repetition or task in practice),
• small items to balance on the instrument
• sticky notes or flags
• finger puppets
• rhythm Instruments
• coins
• practice charts
• a bead counter

Having a practice kit right in the spot where you practice will help you to keep all of these practice tools handy for days they are really needed.

As a teacher I always have some items like this in my studio as well. 

---

Here are some of my specific recommendations: 

Large Foam Practice Dice

This is great for rolling to see how many repetitions to play. I always have students roll again if they get the number one.

Another option is to have a note card with a different task for each number on the dice written on the back. Each time your child rolls they can turn over a card to see what to practice next.

Game Spinner [from any board game or like this.

This can be used the same way as the dice but can offer some variety if you’ve been using the dice a lot and need a new way to practice.

The Decide Now app is also a great app to use to add your own text and create your own digital spinner. 

Finger Puppets 

These can be used on fingers to practice small muscle control, on the top of bows to focus on watching while forming bow holds or playing, and many other creative uses you may come up with on your own.

Small items to be counted with each repetition in practice:

You can use coins, rocks, buttons, clothes pins on the music stand . . . really anything small, these erasers are a favorite in my studio .

In my experience, young students are very motivated to move items from one place to another (like walking an animal eraser across the table or stand for each repetition). We are often able to build up to many more repetitions by using them to help us count, which builds both focus and motivation. 

Practice Sticker Charts:

This pirate map chart is one my students love – there are all sorts of these at office supply stores and on amazon. Putting a sticker on for each repetition or each individual task in a lesson works wonders for motivation.

Simply putting a sticker on a blank 3×5 card can work well too. I have a parent in my studio who started doing this for all sorts of things around the house because it worked so well.

Rhythm Sticks:

Simple rhythm sticks, or even wooden spoons, are great for practicing twinkle rhythms, keeping a steady beat and practicing the rhythm of a new piece as students progress.

Bead Counters

The Practice Shoppe has so many great practice aides including rhythmic dice and printable practice charts. Their site is one to check out for great resources as you build your practice toolkit. 

One item I would highly recommend is their bead counters. These are wonderful for counting repetitions and students love them! 

I highly suggest putting together some kind of practice toolkit for your practice sessions at home.

You can start building one with items that are right around your house. It will help you keep practice fun and engaging and help your child focused and motivated.

Please let us know in the comments what items you have in your practice kit and any additional ideas you would add to mine above!