Piano for Kids

The Animal Note method of music education for young children is based on Associative learning.  The oval shape of the standard music note becomes the head or body of common animals that are familiar to young children.  It is possible to have fun little stories for each of these animals to help the child learn the notes placement on the Grand Staff.  Stories can also help them remember the animal’s home on the keyboard.  Repeating these stories, when talking about the notes, strengthens the child’s knowledge of the note.

The Animal Notes/Standard notes Flash Cards are a very important link in this learning process.  When the first note is introduced, the flash card should be introduced for that note and the stories concerning its location on the Grand Staff and the Keyboard should be talked about.  As each new note is added, a new flash card should be added to the review pile that you go through with each lesson.  If your student is 6 or older, start turning the card over and introduce the associated standard note and repeat the stories so the child becomes familiar with the standard notes along with the Animal Notes.  By doing this, it is possible to have a 7 to 9 year old child ready to play standard music by the time they finish the timing book and possibly a fun book of songs.  Children under 6 will need more time than the older group and the introduction to standard notes must be gradual, as many children in this age group need more time to learn using the familiar Animal Notes.

Please consider ordering the Animal Notes/Standard notes Flash Cards set when you order the beginning books.  They will help you so much as you move your young student into music with standard notation.

The Noteimals music education method for young children almost seems surreal to me.  As a young piano teacher, I so wanted my young students to avoid the problems I had as a child in learning to read notes and get control of timing.  I tried every fun way I could think of to accomplish this goal.  Today I work with what I think is a wonderful method every day.  I see its successes, and I strive to add additional beneficial materials to the program.  It is exciting and fun to watch children as young as four succeed with this method when before only a very talented and gifted child would have been given the opportunity to learn music at a young age.  It brings me such pleasure to see my students leave their lessons with a big smile on their faces. 

I told you I had been using the method in a school piano studio with third, fourth and fifth graders.  On my last day, three of the children came up to me and told me how much they appreciated this method because it had taken the frustrations away that they had been feeling toward piano and music in general.  They were all proud to tell me they planned to continue in piano because they really enjoyed it now.  What a wonderful reward for the Noteimals. 

The fact that I am associated with something that is simple, fun and really works is the part that is surreal for me.  I wanted it so badly.  I did not want to lose students because I could not teach them note reading, and they would quit in frustration.  I am very thankful to God for making me part of it.  Try working with the Note Reading Books, Flash Cards, Word Clues, and Timing Book. I feel confident that you too will smile with a great feeling of success and accomplishment. 

I am working on a music theory book, which I am calling “Moving On.” The purpose of this book is to provide additional help in smoothing the transition from the Noteimals to standard music notation while introducing some other important elements of music. I am excited about it, and I think you will be too.