I shared with you recently about a couple incentive programs I launched in my studio. The Piano Points system was explained in this post and I shared about my idea for practice bracelets here. I thought I would give you an update on how these have been working for me.
Piano Points have been going great! Students come to their lessons excited to earn points, and many times know exactly how many they need for the day to complete their chart and get a prize. I have had to keep restocking my prize basket so it is full of good options. Most of the students participating have completed at least one chart (25 points) to get a prize. Many have completed even more, and I have one student who has earned a total of 125 points so far! I have some students who are really motivated to practice over 5 days each week so that they can receive two points for practice instead of just one. The Listening Bonus cards have been a great component of this system. Students have motivation to make sure and be at their lesson so that they can learn what the next bonus is, and they are highly motivated to watch the videos so that they can pile on the points!
Of course, I do have a few students who still are not practicing consistently, even with the possibility of earning Piano Points. I have one student in particular who has yet to fill his first chart, rarely practices, and is making very slow progress. Amazingly, the practice bracelets seemed to work for him! He has actually been wearing them and can tell me each week how many days he practiced…this is a big step. I have found that the practice bracelets work really well with some students who didn’t seem motivated by the Piano Points. I guess you just have to find the right motivation for each student.
I am thinking that I will continue the Piano Points system until the end of the Spring Semester, and then start something new for the summer. I’ll be brainstorming ideas of what I can do to create some new motivation and energy in my studio for the summer. For now, I am very happy with the results of Piano Points and the practice bracelets!
Spring Seals, NCTM, teaches 60 piano students ranging from age 3 to 70 in Fort Worth, Texas. She also serves as the Director of Certification for TMTA. She is passionate about helping teachers become more effective in their studios through professional development, new resources, and fresh ideas.