| Ever since I began my teaching career, I | | | | parents. |
| remember being confronted by concerned | | | | The fact that a child never expresses a desire to |
| individuals who, in the process of deciding whether | | | | want to play an instrument should not be the |
| to learn a musical instrument, expected me to | | | | reason for not making it available to that child. |
| answer an age old question: | | | | Many children never ask to go to school, but we |
| "Am I talented?" | | | | all know that they should in order to become |
| I must confess, for quite a long period of time, | | | | educated, well rounded citizens. The key to |
| the answer to this question evaded me. However, | | | | developing musical talent is in the environment - |
| when I delved into the field of child education, I | | | | exposure to the sun gets the desired suntan, |
| discovered a fundamental truth: | | | | exposure to music results in an appreciation for |
| Musical talent is not inherited: it is developed. | | | | and desire to play musical instruments. If children |
| Today, I am convinced that musical talent is a | | | | are given gentle pushes in proper directions, the |
| God given seed within every newly born child. | | | | results can be amazing! |
| However, for it to blossom, it must be nurtured | | | | It is unfortunate that Music and Art, in general, no |
| daily from a very early age on. Therefore, the | | | | longer hold a respectable position in American child |
| child should be constantly exposed to a wide | | | | education. On the contrary, throughout Israel, |
| variety of music. Amazingly enough, the | | | | Japan and Europe,it is most unusual for a child to |
| subconscious mind will register these new sounds | | | | be deprived of their customary musical education. |
| and rhythms. A few years down the road, when | | | | Through this means, the rich cultural heritage of |
| the child begins music lessons, he will have a | | | | these countries is passed on from generation to |
| storehouse of natural resources which will help him | | | | generation and thus, preserved. Furthermore, |
| develop the necessary skills with much more | | | | through centuries of observing this tradition, it has |
| ease. | | | | been discovered that the study of a musical |
| I have seen this principle in action repeatedly. A | | | | instrument at an early age, will aid in the |
| young adult will start lessons with me and make | | | | development of the child's fine motor skills. Last, |
| remarkable progress in a short period of time. | | | | but not least, the experience has proven to |
| When I inquire about his musical background, he'll | | | | contribute to the formation of a noble character, |
| most likely reply: "My parents were constantly | | | | as well as to promote discipline and better |
| listening to all kinds of music and taking me to | | | | concentration in the child's life. |
| concerts as I was growing up." Curiously many | | | | The benefits are truly innumerable. The bottom |
| times I find that although the child was reared in a | | | | line is that the issue of musical talent should never |
| fertile environment for the development of | | | | be an obstacle. Now is the time for your child to |
| musical talent, he/she was never encouraged | | | | experience the joys of making music. To quote |
| encouraged to study an instrument. This, in turn, | | | | violinist Shinichi Suzuki, "What is not trained while |
| is a good reminder of another relevant fact: The | | | | we are growing, brings pains and aches later. |
| destiny of children often lies in the hands of the | | | | |