Can A Child as Young as Three Learn to Play Piano
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.
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