Guidelines for the Challenge
 

• The goal is to practice for 100 days in a row. After 100 Days in a row, you’ll find the new habit will largely be formed.
   

• No Missed days, except for illness. There will be obstacles to daily practice:  Illness, Parties, Sports days, School events, Holidays, etc.  Dr. Suzuki said, “Practice only on the days you eat.”  If your child is too sick to keep foods down, that is the only exception.  This system is “On Your Honour.”  

• Lessons, both Private and Group, do not count as practice for the day.
   

• Fill in the practice chart every day. Missed days “break the chain," starting you back at Day 1.   Progress will be tracked in the studio as well as at home.
   

• Recognition: 100 days accomplished in a row will earn a 100-day medal of honour and a photo on the website page!

 

 

 

The 100-day goal is a large commitment on the part of the parent as well as the student! Remember, the choice to take lessons is the choice to make a lifestyle change. Being a part of this challenge is a great way to build strong daily habits and to prove to yourselves that you're capable of that commitment.

 

• Establish Accountability: Tell your friends and colleagues about your 100 Day Practice goal, and even post online. Social media is an incredible platform where you can check in daily for accountability, logging as you go (which is also extremely rewarding upon reflection from the 100-day summit). And if you have created an audience surrounding this event, you will more than likely have a built-in cheering squad! How motivating!
   

• Be the journalist at your child’s lesson and write down exactly what, why and how to practice.  100 days of unfocused practice isn’t very useful. Keep a journal of all the good things that happen in your home practice during the challenge. This is for future motivation and the memories! This can also be recorded on social media, if you'd like to share your journey with others.
   

• To make sure that practice happens, use a trigger or cue. This is a daily activity that leads you to practice like practicing after breakfast.  Visual triggers work well too.
   

• Set a daily number of practice tasks or objectives instead of a set time for practice.  Children who have to practice for a set number of minutes quickly learn how to waste time.
   

• Remember that when starting the Challenge, less is more. Suzuki said that 3 minutes, 5 times a day is ideal for beginners. Remember that there are always several 3-5 minute time slots, in any day.  In fact, micro practices are perfect for learning to focus.
   

• Celebrate the milestones along the way with a small family celebration! Consider starting your child 5 or under with a 10 Day Chart.  Decide together on how to celebrate each milestone.  Little rewards along the way can keep us going. The difference in motivation is HUGE between families who celebrate practice milestones and those who don’t.
   

• There are many things a child can do to practice when away from the instrument. Whether they are sick, in the car, or on a trip that didn't allow for an instrument, here are some examples of things they can do to practice:  Air bowing to the CD, singing the songs, clapping rhythms, active listening-paying attention to trouble spots while following along with the music, etc. If you need more, ask your teacher!

 

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