Once a year I do a music practice challenge that works VERY well with all of my students. Even though I use it in my music studio, the same idea can be used for any aspect of learning. Kids can practice reading doing HW, etc. The last week of November, I buy Christmas Count or Christmas Chocolate Advent Bars. I purchase mine from Trader Joe’s and they look like this. However, you can find these in many stores. It has 24 boxes an each box has a small chocolate inside. The kids get to count off the days before Christmas by eating a small treat every day.
My students are instructed to practice for 24 days in a roll starting December 1st. After each practice session, they can have one chocolate. If they miss a day, they are not allowed to continue and make up for the time. I assign different things to all my students. They can only open the chocolate box after practicing a particular skill, review pieces, etc. If the student is a reluctant practicer or if they have a specific technical issue they are working on, then I make the practice shorter but specific to their own needs.
Do I give them “chocolate practice challenges” all the time? Absolutely not!!! I do not want my students to associate practicing with getting something material. I want to motivate them, not condition them. Notice that for this challenge they have to develop consistency of doing it every day. This is different from the “if you practice I will give you candy”-you can read more about in this post. I do this only once a year around the Holidays. My parents have “reported” that their kids are very excited to practice after completing the activity. I am happy because this challenge keeps the consistency of practice during the Holiday Season! It also incorporates fun with learning which is always a good recipe for retention of information.
Try this with your child! Find a task that they have a harder time with. That can be math, house chores, or practicing a musical instrument. Work on developing consistency through a game!
Extra Resources and Practice Ideas
I love this post about making seasonal games where children get to assemble a picture based on the season, then practice the assignment on the back of the different parts. It is from the Music Notes and Tips site. I have done similar things with my students and they have worked very well. Check the practice post here
It has worked great for us! Thank you for this post!
Great idea – I wish I had seen this a few days earlier!
Hello,
You can still start now and make up for the few days we missed in December 🙂 Let me know how it goes!
This is a wonderful idea. I have done it with my kids for two years now and it has greatly motivated them to practice! Thank you for posting it so that other teachers and parents can take advantage!
My Mom just bought my sister one of these chocolate countdowns–she's so excited to start using it today! But I've never seen it associated with a chore or task before–that's a fun idea!
Hey Rachel, yes it could be a neat idea to get a child motivated to study, practice, or do house chores. Funnily, I had one leftover last year and I used it on myself….to count the days I do stretches after violin practice, I would eat a small chocolate every time I do it. And guess what…it worked!
This does sound like a great idea. I was concerned at first while I was reading that it was done all the time, but it is just once I year so I agree that the momentum can still be there and the kids can stay motivated without conditions. Thanks for sharing this one with us Countdown in Style as well. xo
Brittnei, this is a great observation and helpful for me to point out. Thank you.
This is a really good idea, I might have a think and try it.
Thankfully my son likes school enough to do the work and has no problem practicing. But I will keep this in mind for other things like chores!Thanks for sharing and linking up with Countdown in Style! Don’t forget to come back on Friday to see if you were featured!~~April~~100lbCountdown.com
Ava is not enjoying violin anymore. In fact, she has decided to quit and try art. Well, what can I say. I really wish i could find a way to motivate her again.
Lisa, let's talk…
I love this idea! I use advent calendars with my kids at home but it never occurred to me to use it as a motivational tool. While I agree that you don’t want to make extrinsic motivation (especially something like candy) a regular thing that children come to expect and associate with an activity, I also know that with seemingly mundane tasks like daily practice during the holiday season, extrinsic motivators can often be the very thing we need to develop the habit of consistency that leads to intrinsic motivation. Thank you for sharing and linking up with #fermatafridays ! I’m so happy to have found your site and I look forward to seeing more posts from you in future link-ups (hint, hint!) 🙂
Thank you for your comment! And yes, good hint:) I am happy to have found your site as well and will e coming back for more!
I LOVE your twist on the advent calendar. I bet older students could relate this to vlogmas, which is popular with Youtubers during this time of year. Thanks for sharing! #fermatafridays
Oh, cool idea about high school! Thank you for your comment!