Piano for Kids

The Animal Note method is so perfect for a five year old, and if you have not already started your five year old learning to play the piano, NOW is the time.  This age child is going into kindergarten and their whole world of learning is going to take on new meaning.  The many pieces of information that they have gained in their young life are going to start fitting together like the pieces of a puzzle.   Music should be an important part of that education.  Many schools do not offer much in the way of music education.  They sing songs, put on wonderful and precious productions, and make all that hear them rejoice, but few have a chance to learn the basics on which music is built; note reading and timing.

With the purchase of three of the Animal Note method books and a set of the Animal Note/standard note flash cards, you can start your kindergarten child on the road to joy, pleasure, and adventure in the wonderful world of music.  The books should include the Note Reading, Timing, and a one of the Fun Music Books.  If you do not have a piano or keyboard available to you, try to use the one at your church, a friend’s home or buy one of the small keyboards at a garage sale, or from an ad in the newspaper. 

And, if you do not have a few minutes a day, or at least every other day, get a teacher to use the books and give your child lessons.  Many teachers say they will not take a student before they are 8 or 9 because they find note reading is somewhat difficult to teach for this age group, but with the Animal Note method, note reading is not only easy, but fun.  The word clues and flash card set make the transition to standard music notation a fun and rewarding game.

A perfect time to start music education is when a child begins his/her formal education in the schools.  It is a time when learning is a true adventure, and life is not too cluttered with outside activities.  Music is an important part of everyone’s life.  Don’t deny this gift to your five year old.

Children that have celebrated their fourth birthday are a lot of fun to work with.  They are so curious about their world and ready to learn.  The Animal Note method of music education is fun and delightful to their little minds.  Most love animals, thus making the music notes easy to recognize and fun to play with, but to recognize standard music notation is simply mind boggling to them.  The Animal Notes allow them to begin music at a point in their lives that is uncluttered by many of the extra activates that fill the lives of older children. 

Each child is an individual, so it is very important to work with your young child’s personality.  Some four year olds are calm and able to concentrate on your teaching; others are so full of energy, while others want to flit like a busy butterfly from one song, idea and even instrument to another. 

The corner stone of music is note reading and timing.  Getting a good foundation in these two important facets of music is the main goal in the beginning.  The Animal Note method allows for the variation necessary to meet the needs of young children.  The Note Reading Book and the Animal Note/standard note flash cards can to used in many ways to help your young student learn the word clues for each note and begin to associate the standard note with its Animal Note and that notes location on the Grand Staff.  Once the basic notes are learned there is the Timing Book and two great “Fun Books” that have songs the children have heard and enjoy playing.  More books are in the works to add variety and additional teaching materials

Lessons should be about 15 to 20 minutes at first, but it does not take long for this age child to stay with the lesson up to 30 minutes.  Vary your approach, let them play games, like making up their own song with the Flash Cards, encourage them to play old songs that you have already worked on and always let them choose at least one of the review pieces.  Corrections must be mixed with words of encouragement and positive, appropriate praise.

Four year olds are usually capable to working on their hand position and not using just one or two fingers play the notes of the piece, but be patient and constant in your efforts to help them develop the correct position.  Using each finger separate from the others is a strange new idea to them and developing a good habit of doing this does not come instantly.

You will truly be giving your child a gift of a life time by introducing them to music and the piano or keyboard at this young age.  It is a rewarding experience for both your child and you

Have you ever observed a very young child gently touch the key of a piano or keyboard; or perhaps bang on a bunch of keys with both hands?    I have been told many times, “I can hardly wait until my child is old enough for lessons.  I know he (or she) has musical ability!  I am just afraid he (or she) is too young. What do you think?”

I suggest you give it a try.  Start with the “Note Reading for Young Children” book and a set of Animal Note/standard note flash cards. I can honestly say, I have taught children as young as three who have successfully transferred their knowledge to standard music notations.  Many have continued lessons through their senior year in high school.   The Animal Note Method has made this possible by making the notes something friendly and familiar.  Their word clues along with the flash cards make transition to standard music notation smooth and without difficulty.  But I do have some strong guide lines I would advise you consider and follow. 

1. Know your child!!!!  Working with the child’s temperament can be the major key to your success.  I have a little boy who will turn three this month.  All of his siblings take music at our studio, and he wants to join them.  Some people would say, “He is certainly all boy,” and they are right.  He likes to growl like a bear, play with cars, and try to toss a football.  However he is also a tender and sweet child.  Last week I finally gave into his begging and gave him a short lesson.  Because he like to play like an animal at times, I would meow like a cat when he had looked at the Cat on the music, found it on the chart above the keys, and hit the keys.  His smile lit up the room, he was so excited.  He followed the instructions several times before he lost interest.  When his parents arrived to pick him and his siblings up, he grabbed his Dad’s hand, pulled him to the piano, and repeated what he had learned in his short lesson with a very loud meow when he successfully hit middle C.  I had managed to work with his personality.
2. The attention span of children three and four is not very long, about 5 to 10 minutes at the most.  If you push them for a longer time you will have frustration and a child that does not want to try again.  If you are a parent or grandparent and can work with the child 5 to 10 minutes at least every other day you will be delighted how fast they learn.
3.  Always go back over work already learned.  The child feels so proud when they are successful.  Pieces already played feel good and are easy.  Learning something new needs to be rewarded by the feeling of success found in playing an old song or two.  Let them choose the song sometimes.  Remember, taking things slow is the key to success at this age.

4. After the second note is learned, introduce the Animal Note/standard note flash cards for those notes.  Repeat the word clue and ask the child to play that note.  Turn the card over to the standard note, repeating the word clue and ask the child to again play the note.  Some of my young students call the standard note “the back side” of the animal.

5. Be positive.  Tell the child when they have made a mistake, but also tell them when they have done a good job.  A little praise when sincerely given goes a long way.

6.   Have fun and enjoy this.  It is so rewarding.
 
If your child continues to enjoy the time spent with you or his teacher at the keyboard, then you will know he/she is ready for musical training.  If not, back off and offer it again in six months or a year.  Your child will not forget what he/she has learned, so your time has not been wasted.  Musical training is an important part of a child’s education, but as in all early childhood education, it must be taken slowly, taught with a positive supportive attitude and have some fun along the way.