IS MY CHILD READY TO START ?
A child should demonstrate physical, mental and emotional readiness in order to have a productive and successful (and hopefully fun!) experience at the piano. Ask these questions to judge your child's / teen's readiness:
- Has s/he been asking for lessons? For how long?
- Does s/he move or dance in rhythm to music that catches their interest?
- Have teachers at school commented on his / her interest in music?
For younger children:
- Does s/he like to experiment on the piano at home or (if there is no piano at home) pretend to play on tables or other furniture?
- Can s/he say the alphabet and count to 20?
- Does s/he know which side is left vs. right?
- Can s/he sit still and concentrate for at least 10 minutes at a time?
- Can s/he use scissors? Color without going outside the lines?
PARENTAL READINESS
A supportive atmosphere at home is important to any piano student, especially so for young ones. Parents should be prepared to play an active role in helping their budding musician grow. Ask yourself the following:
- Am I willing to ensure there is quiet time at home for practising?
- Am I willing to stave off negative remarks about learning piano or making mistakes at the piano?
- Am I willing to provide positive encouragement (rather than negative criticism) while s/he practices?
- Am I willing to commit to the ongoing costs of time and tuition?
- Am I willing to purchase an instrument (if we don't already own one) ?
For younger children:
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Am I willing to sit with my child for 20 - 30 minutes daily to help with practice (or at least keep him / her company) and provide positive encouragement while s/he practices?
- Am I willing to play musical "games" with my child and to encourage other members of the family to join us?
