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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]With my kids there were two separate categories: activities that were mandated and activities they requested.

Swimming was required because we felt it was a safety issue.  The kids had to take lessons until they were proficient enough that we felt they could swim/float/tread water as necessary.

I required them to take one year of music (their choice - band, orchestra, piano, choir) because I think it is an important experience that provides a multitude of benefits.  One stopped after a year of  playing an instrument at school.  The other continued for years, requested private lessons, joined a youth orchestra, and took up another instrument as well.

Beyond that, it was basically their choice.  We just asked them to commit to the activity for it’s duration.  Do if they signed up for a class/program, they had to see it through, whether it was for a few weeks or for the school year.  Once they had completed whatever they had committed to, they could decide if they wanted to continue or were ready to stop.

There are so many great activities out there, and they can’t do everything.  I think they should be allowed to explore different things and pursue their interests, whether or not they’re “good” at them.  There is something worthwhile to gain from every experience.  There’s also value in having downtime. If they want a break from activities, that can also be good for them.

As a girl, my mother required me to take piano lessons.  She was very musical, but I was not.  I’m not sure which of us suffered more during my practices.  I started lessons in first grade, and when she decided I was overscheduled, she made me drop the dance classes I adored and continue piano (which I still resent).  Finally, in 5th grade, we moved and somehow never restarted lessons.  I avoided the piano for a long time after that, but eventually got to where I could enjoy playing again. I certainly wasn’t “good”, but I was good enough for my own benefit.

As I mentioned above, I wanted my kids to have one year of music.  I wanted them to be able to read a melody line, experience daily practice to master something, preparing for and giving a performance and develop an appreciation for music.  I felt one year gave them the benefit of exposure to those experiences, and after that, it was up to them to decide if they felt further music study would benefit them.

What is your ultimate goal in their music study?  What benefit are they getting from additional lessons?  Does it matter how expert they are as adults if they never want to play?  Keep in mind that they can always pick it up again later, whenever they choose, but understand that they may choose not to.[/quote]

One year isn’t sufficient. My kid had 1.5 year of piano lessons and his sight reading is not that good. If he drops piano, I don’t think he’ll ever be proficient to read music.[/quote]

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