My student wants to quit

[hbyoung]

Does anyone have experience with the following situation?

I have a new student (age 7) who has only had 3 lessons thus far. She seems to enjoy lessons and is making perfectly acceptable progress. Her mother just informed me that since she does not practice, they would like to cancel lessons rather than push their child and ruin her love for music.

While I completely agree about not ruining her love for music, I feel like 3 lessons is too soon to expect/require vigorous practice. I've been teaching for over a decade and have never had a student quit so soon.

I've had students end lessons after years of study to pursue other instruments/sports/school or because they moved away, and some of my students have gone through phases of not practicing much, but this has always been remedied by an honest conversation and more personalized repertoire.

 All your experience and advice is greatly appreciated!

[anacrusis]

I would just respectfully share what you have shared here with the parents, and have a conversation about it. If they have made up their mind, there is nothing you can do, because you cannot force them to think differently. If they have an open mind and you speak to them respectfully without trying to force them to do what you hope they'll do, they might change their mind once they have heard your perspective. Letting them know that you don't expect such a young child to practice so soon, and that just having lessons will be of benefit and fun too can't hurt.

[quantum]

I would recommend a conversation with the student.  Not a conversation to convince her to continue lessons, but a discussion of her experience so far with lessons.  Where does she want to take her piano playing, what music does she want to play, what other non piano activities does she enjoy, where does she fit piano playing into her daily activities.  She may only be seven, but I think an honest conversation with her expressing herself in her own words, rather than her parents translating what they think their child means is important. 

Following that, a discussion with the parents and student, encouraging them to think through their decision. 

[lostinidlewonder]

Lack of practice doesn't always equate to failure. Some young students require a number of years to become responsible more with their work. Some parents only want their children to do things they naturally enjoy in that case you are fighting a losing battle.

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=67749.0

[perfect_pitch]

As someone who has taught dozens of Year 1's and 2's (about the same age), I suspect that the parent is pushing the student to play the piano, and not the child wanting to quit because they never wanted to play in the first place.

I have NEVER had a student that young want to quit after 3 lessons, and because I seem them at a school without their parents - the first thing I ask is what made them want to learn... and usually I learn whether they want to learn because a friend is playing, because they think it's cool, their granny gave them a piano and they want to play it etc...

Ask the parent if they would have the child give up after only 3 lessons if they were learning say, another language... or Ballet classes. Usually the kids demeanour when you see them can be a key sign. When I come to collect a student from class, their faces usually light up, and these are kids who have asked to do piano on their own accord.

Also, I think the parent might be wanting to quit because she may not see the benefit in regards to the cost. I am lucky in that I work with a lot of successful and business owning parents who are quite well off, so they love involving them in many different activities throughout the week... (some to the point where they pay for piano lessons, even when the kid does not practice for WEEKS AND WEEKS).

I'd query whether the student wants to quit; whether the parent WANTS the student to quit, or whether the parent wants to quit.