Teaching Four and Five Year Olds with the Animal Note Flash Cards
Most four and five year olds can recite or sing the alphabet, but have little knowledge of its use in the real world. However, they do know about animals; that is why the Animal Note method is so terrific and practical for this age group. They are successful. This provides a positive approach to piano lessons, and opens the doors to a wonderful and lasting experience in the musical world. WOW what a gift!!!!!
The new Animal Note Flash Cards are really working out very well. They strengthen the education given in “Note Reading for Very Young Children” and “Timing for Very Young Children” and allow for an easy transition to the standard notes of music.
At the beginning of each lesson, I go through the Animal Note Flash Cards of the animals that have been covered in previous lessons. With each card, I ask the child to give the special word clues that help identify where that note is located on the Grand Staff. I have the child play that note, and then show them the standard note on the back of the card. This systematic approach strengthens the word clues and allows the child to become familiar with the standard note. It takes time for a child this young to make the transfer to the standard note, so please use patience and persistence in this training. If they are rushed, they will get frustrated.
As a reward for the child’s efforts, I give the child the cards and ask him/her to arrange them in any order they choose on the music rack. I then have them play the notes, in order, from left to right. With applause, I congratulate them on their new composition. Many times they will want to play there new song more than once. It is time well spent as the child is strengthening his/her note reading skills.
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