Category: Printable Resources

Summer Piano Practice: An Honest Pep Talk for the Moms Who Wonder If It’s Enough

Every summer, I watch something happen in our piano families. The school year ends, the schedule loosens, and somewhere around the second week of June, the question starts to creep in: are we doing enough summer piano practice?

Maybe practice has been shorter than usual. Maybe it’s been skipped a few times. Maybe your child has been playing the same piece on repeat because they love it and refuse to move on (which, honestly, is a great sign — but we can talk about that another time). And maybe you’ve been standing in the kitchen wondering if this is the summer that sets them back, undoes the progress they made, or signals that you’re not cut out for this home-teaching thing after all.

Here’s what I want to say to you, from one person who has been teaching piano for over twenty years: you are doing better than you think. And summer — real summer, with its softened routines and long evenings and absence of pressure — might actually be one of the best things that could happen to your student’s musical development.

Let me explain what I mean. Continue reading “Summer Piano Practice: An Honest Pep Talk for the Moms Who Wonder If It’s Enough”

7-Day Piano Practice Reset (Free Printable for Kids!)

The weeks after the holidays can feel…weird for piano practice.

Between family visits, travel, late nights, sugar overload, and totally broken routines, even kids who love piano can come back to their instrument feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected. Suddenly the piano bench feels a little harder to sit on — and motivation seems to have vanished.

That’s exactly why I created this 7-Day Piano Practice Reset — a simple, encouraging way to help kids fall back in love with practicing again. Continue reading “7-Day Piano Practice Reset (Free Printable for Kids!)”

Free Wicked! Music Activity for Kids: “Which Witch Sang It?”

Add a Little Wicked Magic to Your Music Studies This Month ✨

Download the FREE “Which Witch Sang It?” Listening Activity

Are you ready to bring a little Broadway sparkle into your music time at home? With the highly anticipated release of Wicked: For Good hitting theaters this month, it’s the perfect time to explore the enchanting music behind this beloved story of two unlikely friends—Glinda and Elphaba– in this Wicked music activity.

To celebrate, I’ve created a FREE printable that your young musician will love: Continue reading “Free Wicked! Music Activity for Kids: “Which Witch Sang It?””

When Piano Feels Hard: How Piano Practice Goals Keep Students Going

It’s easy for a student’s excitement about piano to ebb and flow. Some weeks, they’re eager to sit down and play. Other weeks… well, the piano bench seems to collect more dust than practice time.

The truth is, even the most enthusiastic learners hit periods where progress feels slow or the music feels “too hard.” That’s why having clear, personal piano practice goals can make such a difference. When students know exactly what they’re working toward — in their own words — they have a built-in source of motivation to keep going, even when the initial excitement fades.

Continue reading “When Piano Feels Hard: How Piano Practice Goals Keep Students Going”

Your Summer Piano Practice Challenge Packet

 

When my kids were younger, we’d head straight to the library at the start of every summer to sign up for the summer reading challenge. They’d each get a colorful chart, a list of recommended books, and (let’s be honest) they were very motivated by the promise of a free book, stickers, and prizes upon completion.

It was such a great way to keep their reading skills strong through the long summer break.

That got me thinking — what if we had something just as fun and encouraging for piano practice? Continue reading “Your Summer Piano Practice Challenge Packet”

Valentine’s Day Music Theory Printable

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and what better way to spread the love than by combining music and creative fun? I’m thrilled to share a special Valentine’s-themed “Color by Pitch” activity that your budding musician will adore. This fun and educational worksheet not only celebrates the holiday but also helps students strengthen their note-reading skills on the bass clef. And the best part? It’s completely free! Simply join my email list, and I’ll send it straight to your inbox for you to download and print. Continue reading “Valentine’s Day Music Theory Printable”

Pumpkin Music Math: A Fun Way to Practice Music Note Values This Fall

Fall is here, and with it comes cooler weather, cozy sweaters, and pumpkin themed everything! To celebrate the season, I’ve created a brand new Pumpkin Music Math printable that will help young musicians practice their note values in a fun, festive way.

Whether your child is just beginning their musical journey or needs a little extra practice with rhythm, this activity offers a playful approach to mastering note values, which is a crucial skill for reading and performing music. Continue reading “Pumpkin Music Math: A Fun Way to Practice Music Note Values This Fall”

Celebrate Piano Month: Free Coloring Book & Fun Piano Facts for Kids

Happy National Piano Month, everyone! September is a special time for us at Busy Kids Do Piano, and we’re excited to celebrate with you. Whether you’re a beginner just starting your musical journey or an experienced pianist, this month is all about appreciating the beauty and joy that playing the piano brings. Continue reading “Celebrate Piano Month: Free Coloring Book & Fun Piano Facts for Kids”

Piano Practice Bingo Card

If your kiddo has ever looked at the piano bench like it personally wronged them, you are not alone. I’ve been teaching piano for a long time, and I can tell you with complete confidence that “practice resistance” is one of the most universal struggles in music education. It doesn’t mean your child doesn’t love music, or that you’re doing something wrong. It usually just means practice needs a little spark.

Which is exactly why I made this: a free printable Piano Practice Bingo Card.

The concept is simple, and really, that’s the point. Each square on the card has a different practice task — things like playing scales, sight-reading, improvising, working on dynamics, and more. As your student completes each task, they mark off the square. The goal? Fill a row, a column, a diagonal, or if you’ve got a particularly ambitious kid, the whole card. It’s still practice, but now it has a game layered over it, and that shift makes a surprisingly big difference.

Why it works (without feeling gimmicky)

What I love about the bingo format is that it introduces variety naturally. Your student isn’t grinding through the same checklist every day — they’re making choices, working toward a goal, and covering a truly broad range of skills along the way. Technical work like scales and tricky passages builds finger strength and coordination. Playing with dynamics helps them understand how emotion lives inside music. Improvising and experimenting with different tempos or keys builds the kind of creative confidence that sticks around long after the bingo card is done.

And if you want to add a small reward for completing a line or finishing the card? Absolutely do it. It doesn’t have to be elaborate — extra screen time, a favorite treat, a trip to get ice cream — the point is that your student has something to work toward that feels worth the effort.

How to get it

Just click the link, download the PDF, and print it out. It’s ready to use as-is, so there’s no prep work on your end. Slip it into your practice space and let your student know the game is on.

Download your free Piano Practice Bingo Card here.

If your family gives it a try, I’d love to hear how it goes — tag me on social media @busymomsdopiano. Happy practicing!

Carly

Piano Practice Prompt Cards (or…the PICK 3 Piano Practice Game!)

It’s not something exclusive to piano: we all want to be good at something as quickly as possible. Getting in our so-called 10,000 hours is often mundane, and maybe even a bit painful. And let’s be honest, some personalities can tolerate the mundane a bit more than others. For those of us who need extra novelty to keep going with piano practice, I’ve got your back.

Continue reading “Piano Practice Prompt Cards (or…the PICK 3 Piano Practice Game!)”