Piano teachers have differing schools of thought when it comes to the age at which children should first start piano lessons. At Piano Teacher USA, Michelle Koch explains that while many schools do not accept children under the age of five, her staff feels that if a child shows an interest in piano, then three is an acceptable age.
There are actually a number of benefits that come from enrolling your children in piano lessons and having them learn this valuable and interesting art. When children take piano lessons, Koch says, they develop the skills necessary to follow instructions and develop a thought process for themselves. Sometimes parents teach their children to memorize the alphabet by the age of five, but it doesn’t mean that they’ve learned the letters; rather, they have learned to recite. Although your child probably won’t be able to play a piece by Beethoven at this age, she explains, he will be able to play a few songs on his own.
Many of the NYC piano teachers at Piano Teacher USA specialize in preschool music education. In addition to traditional teaching methods, these teachers are equipped with techniques that not only involve playing the piano, but also moving about the room and playing games.
Much of determining the amount of time spent in each lesson and what the subject material should be depends largely on the behavior of the child. Some children need more breaks and distractions, Koch adds, while Piano Teacher USA also has students who by age three are able to sit through an entire lesson.
There really is no right or wrong way to teach piano, Koch continues. You just have to make sure that as a teacher, you are adjusting your methods to the child’s interests, or that as a parent, your child is working with an instructor who sparks his curiosity in learning how to play.
Of course, says Koch, in addition to the lessons given by a qualified teacher, your child should be encouraged to practice at home as well. While lessons are a great way to introduce new notes and songs, practicing them throughout the week is a necessity.
If you can already imagine your child complaining about mandatory practices, worry not: Koch explains that sessions don’t have to be long and tiresome. It’s not so much the amount of time your child spends playing, she says, but that he is exposed to playing often. For instance, she says, instead of playing for an hour straight once a week, your child should strive to play for 20 minutes every day. If your child still hates to practice, then Koch suggests bringing it up with his piano teacher so that together, you can design a plan to help your child stay motivated.
When lessons and practicing are exciting, it will only make your child strive harder to improve his skills. Starting piano lessons at a young age also opens up the door to a world of possibilities for your child’s future.