What is a good way to teach a child who is struggling to learn the notes of the piano?

My child has been taking piano lessons for some time and seems to do fine at weekly lessons because of practicing. However, when asked specific notes and where to play them on the piano, she simply doesn’t know them. I think she has gotten very good at hearing the song once and remembering what it sounds like and then not learning the actual notes. Any ideas??

You didn’t say how old your child is, which would make it easier to answer you since different age groups learn in different ways. Students from age 5 to approximately 11 who don’t seem to be learning the notes very quickly might benefit from letting them go online. http://www.musictechteacher.com/musicquizzes.htm has some very good short flash quizzes and worksheets geared for that age group, or you could search for "musical note reading" or "piano theory" for other sites. One site that would benefit both younger students (with parental help) and older students is http://www.teoria.com/. Click on the Exercises link and the the Notes link (located on the left bar) for another good sight reading drill.

Another one of my favorite sites is http://www.practicespot.com/home.php, which has several different types of rhythm or sightreading exercises in game-style format, which appeals to all ages. You might want to check out the Sightreading Genie link in the middle of that page. This site also has many well-written articles for both the student and the parents.

There are also some very good computer games available for more note reading practice, most of them are written for the younger students and I’ve had very good luck using them.

Note reading doesn’t have to be tough, and I have to disagree with anyone who says you should give your child another hobby, IF your child is motivated and really wants to learn piano. One method I use often is to spend about five minutes at every lesson putting brand new (slightly simpler) music in front of the student and ask them to start playing without plunking note by note, in other words, "sight reading" instead of "learning it to perfection". Without exception they get better at it with every new piece I put in front of them. Of course this can’t be done without reminding them to look at the music and NOT at their hands while playing. Many students are so uncomfortable still with the idea of not watching their hands that they do lean more on learning by ear and their teacher or parent needs to often remind them to READ THE MUSIC and DON’T LOOK DOWN. I sometimes throw a thin sheet over their hands while they play which makes them giggle. If you and your child’s teacher keeps the note reading interesting instead of a chore, then some day your child will get it and have a "light bulb" moment.