Is Your Child Ready for Music lessons? 5 Helpful Tips.
By Barbara Wyton
Learning an instrument is a wonderful gift to any child’s education and development fostering a love and understanding of music that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. But how do you know if your child is ready for music lessons?
Here are 5 helpful tips to know if your child is ready for music lessons:
Your child is old enough if he focuses on a task for 10 – 15 seconds on an activity that someone is asking them to do.
Another good sign is that he is excited by an instrument that you or his teacher suggests to him. He will most likely stick with it if he thinks it’s something cool.
Two of the best instruments for beginners are violin and cello. They come in smaller sizes that make them easier for little hands to hold. You might also consider starting your child off with Suzuki Method which emphasizes learning through listening and imitation.
Another good choice is the piano since producing the sound is as simple as striking the key.
Sometimes a very young child might do best in a group lesson. Watching other children helps them learn and there is motivation in being with peers. Ask if you can sit in on the lesson, that way, you can help your child remember the teacher’s instructions for practicing at home.
An ideal time to begin lessons is around ages 5 -8. Each child may experience a different point of readiness, but by the age of 8, most children are to begin. Children that start at these ages often move more quickly and independently than children who start at ages 2 -4 . If your child is still under age 5 you might consider a general music class like Music Together or Kindermusik. Certainly, don’t underestimate the power and importance of musical experiences at home like singing, dancing and listening to music.