| There isn`t a parent who doesn`t want their child to be | | | | idea is to keep it fun and enjoyable, particularly at this |
| good at something and one of the more common | | | | young age. |
| aspirations is playing piano. There`s something about | | | | With a good base to build on, small children will often |
| being able to dance your fingers across the ivory keys | | | | go on to play piano for the rest of their lives and this |
| that appeals to both parents and children. The big | | | | gift of music is definitely something that they will |
| question on every parent`s lips is "When should my | | | | treasure in years to come. |
| child start piano?" | | | | Older Children and the Piano |
| The younger, the better. We`ve all heard about the | | | | Of course, not everyone can start their toddler in piano |
| likes of Mozart and other child prodigies who began | | | | lessons so early. In some cases, parents may not |
| playing at very tender ages, 3 or 4. Getting a child into | | | | have even considered the possibility until their older |
| piano that early means they will have the most time | | | | child came out and asked for lessons. This is a |
| possible playing, even if they don`t end up being | | | | common scenario, where the child is the one interested |
| extremely gifted in the area of music. | | | | in playing. |
| Introducing Young Children to Piano | | | | First, you`ll want to ensure that this isn`t just a passing |
| You can start peaking your little one`s interest in music | | | | phase. Most parents do this by requiring their children |
| right from the start. Listening to classical piano while in | | | | to take a minimum of one year of piano lessons. This |
| the womb and after birth will give your child an early | | | | is more than enough time to get a good taste for the |
| appreciation for the piano. They will be far more | | | | music and after a year, a decision can be made, to |
| interested in playing than if you simply ignore music all | | | | continue on or to leave it. |
| together and then abruptly introduce it as you want | | | | Children who instigate the learning process tend to |
| them to play. | | | | stick with it better than those who are forced into it at |
| If you`ve decided to start your very young child in | | | | an early age, but they may be slower to pick up the |
| piano, it is very important to find the right teacher. | | | | concepts behind the music and it can be a bit of a |
| Toddlers can`t and shouldn`t be expected to, focus on | | | | struggle for older children to learn to read music in |
| one thing for a long period of time. That means | | | | some cases. However, if the effort is made, it can be |
| lessons will certainly need to be cut into smaller, more | | | | an excellent way to learn more about music and no |
| manageable bites. Most 3-4 year olds do very well | | | | one has ever done poorly because they learned to |
| with 15 minute lessons. | | | | play the piano. |
| You really can`t expect a 3 year old to learn the same | | | | To make the piano lessons a success, be sure to |
| way a teen or adult would, so having a piano teacher | | | | have a way for your child to practice daily. It`s |
| that understands the age group and knows how to | | | | important they have this opportunity, no matter what |
| communicate effectively with a small child is vital. | | | | their age. While younger is still better, that certainly |
| Without this, you`ll find that children don`t learn well and | | | | doesn`t rule out older kids who are interested in |
| will rapidly become frustrated with the instrument. The | | | | learning. |