by Stacey Schifferdecker
Childhood moves at a much faster pace now than it did when we were kids, and music lessons are just one example. While we may have started piano lessons in late elementary school, kids now toddle up to the piano bench for lessons when they are still in preschool. When is the right age for music lessons and are condemning your child to a lifetime of musical mediocrity if you start too late?
Actually, there is no right and perfect age when children should start music lessons. One child might be ready at five, and another child not until 11. Instead of looking at your child’s age, you need to look at his physical development and mental development.
Physical Development
Your child needs to have developed certain gross and fine motor skills, depending on what instrument he is playing. In fact, your child’s age and physical development play a big role in instrument choice. For children younger than age 10, the only real choices are piano and violin (because violins come in smaller sizes for younger children). Woodwinds (clarinet, saxophone) and brass instruments (trumpet, trombone, tuba) are not sized down for smaller children, so most children under 10 years old will not physically be able to play these instruments.
by Patricia Guth
Playing an instrument is a wonderful experience for any child. Instrumental lessons provide your child with a wealth of knowledge, including the basics of music such as note reading and rhythm skills. When learning an instrument leads to playing in an ensemble as well, the child increases his skills to include teamwork and cooperation.
Filed under Learning, Music by More4kids Inc
by Patricia Guth
For decades, music was an important part of the school day for each and every child in America. Nearly every classroom in the nation’s elementary schools had a piano and most teachers were able to play simple songs so that the students could sing along to their favorites. Learning patriotic songs, like the National Anthem, was a must and religious songs were sometimes included in the repertoire, even in public schools. Students looked forward to performing in concerts and showing off their talents.
Filed under Music by More4kids Inc
by Patricia Guth
It’s never too early to teach your little one to enjoy music. Kids love to sing and dance to their heart’s content. Most children have a heap of natural musical ability. How you nurture it is the key to whether your child’s musical ability will continue to grow.
These days, parents are so anxious to give their children the “upper hand”, enrolling them in dance at age 2, soccer by age 4, and music lessons shortly thereafter. While this may appear to make your child well-rounded, in some cases you are doing more harm than good.
More on Music Education - Exposing your Preschooler to Music
Filed under Music by More4kids Inc
