| I began playing a musical instrument late in life - in | | | | your child should meet the teacher in advance, |
| 4th grade, at the ripe old age of 9 - when my | | | | and tour the facility (whether it's a music school, |
| public school offered classes. I chose violin, and | | | | or the instructor's house.) |
| loved it. My teachers recognized my ability, and | | | | 7. SEEK RECITALS. Most preschoolers love to |
| supported my decision to become a professional. | | | | perform for family and friends. The children dress |
| But when I reached conservatory, what a shock! | | | | up; they shop for a special outfit; they even get |
| Most of the other students had begun years | | | | new shoes! During or after the recital, there |
| younger, in kindergarten or earlier. I had to | | | | should be a reception (We call it a "party!") The |
| practice 5 to 7 hours a day to catch up to those | | | | kids will run around, eat cookies and carrots, |
| 'virtuosos.' | | | | accept congratulations, and feel great! |
| Today, a growing body of research confirms | | | | 8. KEEP THE REWARDS FLYING. Children are |
| what I sensed: There are neurological benefits to | | | | very goal-oriented, so hand out a LOT of |
| musical training from an early age, when the brain | | | | rewards, stickers and small toys. When your child |
| is forming. Research also associates childhood | | | | gets antsy, you can say, "If you can play these |
| music lessons with higher grades, test scores, and | | | | three measures, you get a sticker." It works like |
| self-esteem. And starting young means children | | | | a miracle! |
| have a better chance at becoming accomplished | | | | 9. GOT FIVE MINUTES? While lessons require a |
| musicians, if that's where their interests take | | | | child to focus for 30 to 45 minutes, set the bar |
| them. | | | | lower for home practice. If she can only put in |
| But not TOO young! Along with being a musician, I | | | | five minutes, that's great. She'll go longer as she |
| am a mother of three (including two teenagers | | | | gets older. Consistency is FAR more important |
| who are pre-professional musicians, and a | | | | than duration. |
| 6-year-old budding cellist); and I am the director | | | | 10. CREATE A ROUTINE. Pick a regular place and |
| and a teacher at a school that has taught music | | | | time of day for practice. |
| to hundreds of youngsters of all ages. Here's | | | | 11. BREAK THE ROUTINE. Some nights, I create |
| what practical experience has taught me about | | | | an audience of stuffed animals for my 6-year-old. |
| launching children happily and successfully into the | | | | On "backwards" night, she does the measures in |
| world of music. | | | | reverse. Sometimes she serenades me in the |
| 1. ENRICH THE BABIES. Teaching an instrument to | | | | kitchen, while I cook. The wackier, the better. |
| a child under 3 is an exercise in frustration. | | | | 12. DON'T BUY THE INSTRUMENT. If you have a |
| Instead, bring them to hear live music. Give them | | | | choice, rent or borrow. Reducing your investment |
| simple toy instruments, like keyboards - kids love | | | | will help you achieve the right, laid-back attitude. |
| pressing buttons. If you ever played an | | | | When parents buy a new instrument for a |
| instrument, dust it off and start playing again, in | | | | beginning class, it's practically a guarantee that the |
| front of them. | | | | kid will fail. They feel they made this big |
| 2. THERE IS A MAGIC NUMBER. It's about 3 | | | | investment, so their kid had better follow through. |
| ½ . For many children, that's the age when | | | | That's too much pressure. |
| they can begin to concentrate long enough for | | | | 13. BE POSITIVE. Always see the bright side. |
| instrument lessons - especially if the instrument is | | | | Praise them for trying, and for their improvement. |
| a piano. | | | | Your approval motivates them to stick with it. |
| 3. CAN YOUR PRESCHOOLER FOCUS? If the child | | | | 14. GIVE IT FIVE WEEKS. After five sessions, |
| can focus on a task like a puzzle or shape sorter | | | | parents and children understand exactly what's |
| for 20 minutes, that child is probably ready. (If he | | | | required. That's the time to ask yourself: |
| doesn't sit still for more than 20 seconds, don't | | | | - Did my child learn something? |
| despair - he'll get there later!) | | | | - Will he or she practice for at least a few |
| 4. START WITH PIANO LESSONS. Although | | | | minutes a day? |
| violins are made in baby sizes, they are | | | | - Did I do ok? Can I handle the investment of |
| extremely difficult for most youngsters under 4 | | | | time and energy? |
| ½. Piano is so much better. The child can sit | | | | If you answered 'yes' to at least two of these |
| comfortably. There's a palette in front of them - | | | | questions, keep going with music lessons. Most of |
| black and white keys They can concentrate on | | | | our preschoolers do move on to private lessons. |
| listening for high and low tones - basic ear training. | | | | Or, if they're old enough (4 ½ minimum) |
| And there's gratification from the beginning: Press | | | | some switch to a stringed instrument. The piano |
| the key and it sounds good! | | | | lessons help enormously when they face the |
| 5. MAKE IT SOCIAL. The best classes for this | | | | increased complexity of holding and playing a violin, |
| age are like a great big playgroup, with the | | | | cello or guitar. |
| instrument as the focus. Children can't wait to see | | | | But even if your child isn't ready to continue, you |
| their friends. If there are no classes like this in | | | | have not wasted your investment. Everything |
| your area, consider finding another preschooler or | | | | they learned in those first five weeks as will still |
| two to join your child's beginning lessons. | | | | be there when they're mature enough to continue |
| 6. DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Get at least three | | | | making music, whether in 3 months or 3 years. |
| recommendations from other parents. You and | | | | © 2008, Susan Pascale, All Rights Reserved. |