This One Trick Made 80% of Kids Choose Veggies—You Can Use It for Piano Practice Too

Sometimes, getting young children to eat their greens feels like a daily battle. But what if the key isn’t coaxing or bribing—but a sprinkle of imagination?

A team of researchers from Humboldt University in Berlin and the University of Nairobi discovered something remarkable: children are far more likely to choose fruits and vegetables after hearing a short, imaginative story—even more than when offered rewards or faced with consequences.

In their study, 80 kindergartners were split into two groups. One group listened to a 20-minute tale where a sick character is saved by magical vegetables with healing powers. The other group heard a similar story, but with no mention of food at all. For the next two weeks, both groups were offered the same snack options: fruits, vegetables, cookies, and cake.

The result? Up to 80% of the children who heard the magical vegetable story consistently chose fruits and veggies—even three weeks later. The other group’s habits stayed the same.

“We were amazed,” said psychologist Werner Sommer. “A single story—just once—had a lasting impact on their real-life food choices.”

Here is the full study for your reference: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195666324006433?via%3Dihub#sec2.2

If a carrot can outshine candy—just because of a magical story—imagine what could happen if your child saw every practice session as a hero’s journey… and the piano as their playground.

Because the real magic of this study isn’t about vegetables—it’s about how children make meaning. Kids respond deeply to the stories we tell. Their brains aren’t wired just for logic and discipline—they’re wired for imagination, adventure, and emotional connection.

When you reframe piano practice as play, and each challenge as a dragon to tame or a quest to complete, you’re not just sprinkling fairy dust over the routine. You’re activating their learning brain, turning resistance into curiosity.

That’s the power of reframing.

And the best part? You don’t need to be a master storyteller to do it. All it takes is a little spark.

That’s where our Mission Deck comes in.

Created for parents and teachers, the Mission Deck transforms piano practice into an imaginative adventure. With ready-to-go imaginative prompts, visual cues, and playful missions, it helps your child engage with focus and confidence—before the first note is even played.

Try the Mission Deck today and turn practice into play—one magical story at a time.