Piano for Kids

In my next few blogs I want to discuss with you some of the techniques I have found useful in teaching the various age groups.  You will find many more of your own, but I find having others share their experiences with me is very helpful in my own teaching. 

I have worked to a limited extent with children under four, but I have personally found that most children in this age group are quite successful in finding the Animal Note’s picture on the keyboard chart, following it down to the actual key and pressing it.  They love it when I try to make the animal’s sound or ask them “Who is knocking on my door?”  This is a good exercise for them, but most are not ready to start reading music.  Yes, there are exceptions and if a child in this age group can go further how wonderful it is that there is now a method that can be used to help them advance.

Many four year old children have developed the level of concentration required to look at each Animal Note on the piece of music and then find the note on the keyboard and they love it.  They do not seem to tire playing the little pieces, and I have had a couple four year olds work ahead in the book on their own.  However, I find it is best to go slow and steady with this age group.  I do a lot of reviewing of the songs successfully passed. It is too much for them to play all the old songs once they have learned 5 of the Animal Notes, but one or two from each set of songs associated with each Animal gives them both a good review and a sense of satisfaction and pride in how well they are able to play these pieces. 

I begin using the Flash Cards with my young student as soon as Cat has been introduced.  We talk about what the animal is doing on the Grand Staff and how to find it on the Keyboard.  I always show them the Standard Note on the backside of the card. It is interesting to me that most of the children associate this note as a “backside” of the Animal Note.  With constant review, it becomes as much a part of their world as the Animal Note.  Until they are five, I have not pushed them to play the Standard note without first seeing the Animal Note.  I find this age group is also very creative.  They make interesting games with the Flash Cards. 

Be relaxed and have fun with these little ones.  It is so rewarding to see their progress and delight in what they are learning.  Most important you are giving them a firm foundation in music before they are so involved in other outside activities that they feel they do not have time for music.  Instead it is a part of their world that they will always be able to enjoy.