It's Really Never Too Soon To Start Lessons

You may plan for your toddler to start taking piano lessons at age six or seven, but until then, you may not think much about it. Three-year-olds may not have the hand agility and coordination to tackle a keyboard but are at the perfect age to absorb new concepts through all of their senses due to their relentless curiosity about the world. In addition, they rarely sit still and have a unique knack for spontaneity.

So what does this have to do with piano lessons? Everything!

You can harness these same qualities to foster your child's life-long love of music and the piano.

Fortunately, many excellent programs and teachers cater to music and piano lessons for preschoolers; however, they modify their approach to the specific developmental stage of pint-sized musicians.

These are some tips to choose a music program for your pre-schooler:

• Choose a group setting. Look for teachers and programs that cater to small groups of children and focus on a solid foundation. Those that promote music as a universal language can help pre-schoolers improve their socialization skills while encouraging self-expression.

• Meet the teachers. Teaching young children does not come easily to everyone. The person or people who teach your toddler or preschooler about music should have some background in early childhood education or relevant experience teaching young children.

• Keep it fun, and the rest will follow. A program that gives young children the opportunity to burn off energy by dancing and singing while training their ears and learning about rhythm will help them acquire the skills they will use when they finally take their turn at the keyboard. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have access to an instrument they can explore on their terms under a teacher's guidance.

• Ask about age-appropriate exercises. There are many fun ways for young children to develop movement skills to learn to play an instrument like the piano. Classes that teach coordination through clapping and stomping and help children coordinate fine motor skills by learning songs to accompany playful hand movements, like "Itsy Bitsy Spider,” will also help your child reach important developmental milestones.

• Make sure sessions are not too long. Of course, you want your aspiring young musician to look forward to having music lessons. Still, it is essential to remember that young children cannot focus for extended periods. Therefore, look for classes that last no more than 45 minutes per session.

• Join the fun. Classes that allow you to participate along with your child will not only create a wonderful bonding experience; they will teach you ways that you can inspire your child's love for music between classes.

So, now you see why it's never too early to lay the groundwork that will lead to your child's very first piano lesson.

Contact us when you're ready to purchase a piano that will inspire a lifetime of music-making for your mini musician.