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25 Kennard Road
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My 4-6 Year-Old wants to take Private Lessons: What’s the Next Step? by Rachel Edelman, Early Childhood Educator Modern preschools and early elementary grades use a lot of music in their curriculum. Maybe one of the teachers plays the guitar, or perhaps an older sibling plays an instrument. Children between four and six years old very often will have a child-version of these instruments and ask for lessons to play “for real,” so their parents call Brookline Music School. In many cases, children in this age range are not ready for private instrument instruction. When deciding if your child is ready, ask yourself the following: 1. Does your child have the physical maturity for the instrument (for example, lung development for a wind or brass instrument)? 2. Does my child have the fine motor skills and hand dexterity to be able to play and get a good sound out of an instrument such as a guitar? 3. Does your child have the inhibitory control to play only the notes asked by the teacher during a lesson? 4. Does your child have the emotional maturity for a 30 minute 1-on-1 teaching experience? 5. Is your child ready for the responsibility of a regular weekly practice schedule? If you are answering “yes” to many or most of the questions above, both the piano and string instruments such as violin or cello, are well suited to this age group. Sometimes small group lessons are offered for piano and violin, which is a good transition between general music and a private lesson. You could consider the Suzuki method of teaching, which is ideal for young children. The School has a number of teachers who are especially gifted with young children and who can provide an age appropriate private lesson experience. On the other hand, if you are answering “no” or “maybe” to many or most of the questions, I would recommend a child-only group music class to continue your child’s music education and prepare them for private lessons. These are different from the “mommy and me” classes that you and your child may have taken at baby or toddler age. For example, in our class offerings for ages 4-6, children learn a musical vocabulary, including words like pitch, rhythm, dynamics and tempo. Sometimes children will have homework, or will need to practice a specific activity between classes. This kind of weekly music class will enable your child to soar when beginning private instruction. If you hope for your child to learn an instrument and have music making as a part of lifelong learning, please take advantage of this transitory age. These young children are no longer babies, but not quite school-age and they want new experiences, are sponges to exciting information and naturally have a love for music. |
