Debra Wilson Studios

Is Your Child Ready for Piano Lessons?

20 Simple Questions to Help You Evaluate Readiness

Music should be a natural and fun part of every child's life. The benefits of early music education are substantial. Music lessons develop balance, coordination, rhythm and self confidence. Research also shows that children who take music instruction fare better in mathematics as well.

As all music teachers know, the teen years are full of extracurricular activities and piano practice many times is pushed aside in favor of peer activities. So starting early, before other activities gobble up all their time and energy is practical.

How early is too early? Music appreciation can start before birth. Little ones respond to music while still in the womb. Kindermusik has classes for birth to 18 months, 18 months to 3 1/2, 3 1/2 to 5, and 5-7 year old children. These classes emphasize music appreciation, rhythm, and balance.

Many children are ready for "real" piano lessons at age 3 or 3 1/2. In my studio I have many 3 and 4 year olds who are a joy to teach. On the first lesson I play a lot of diagnostic games to discern readiness.

What follows are some of the criteria I use when evaluating a young child's readiness to play the piano. If you can answer yes to the majority of these questions, piano lessons may be started.

Mental Readiness

Can your child say the alphabet?

Can your child recognize:

Can your child sit still and listen for 10 minutes at a time?

Does she or he know right from left most of the time?

Can he or she count from:

Can the child recognize the numbers:

Can they recognize the difference between the sets of 2 black keys and the sets of 3 black keys?

Physical Readiness

Can he or she use plastic scissors?

Do they color fairly well "in the lines"

Does your child's hand measure at least 2 inches across the large knuckles? A child's hand must be at least 2 inches across in order to have the needed strength and dexterity to manipulate the piano keys.

Can your child clap his hands or tap a drum along with you?

Emotional Readiness

How does your child respond to music when he hears it? Do they bounce along?

Has he or she asked for music lessons?

Are they drawn to a piano when they see one?

Does he or she pretend to play (such as on a table)?

Parental Readiness (a Yes! to all these questions is essential!)

Are you willing to play the games and help with the exercises?

Are you ready to sit on the bench with your child 15 minutes each day to help practice? A 3 year old does not have the self discipline for daily practice. You must help make it a fun part of his life.

Are you willing to provide a well tuned piano for your child to practice on?

Are you willing to bring your child to weekly lessons?

Are you willing to organize his music and keep track of his books?

If you answered no to any of these questions it will be difficult for your young child to make significant progress to justify the time and financial investment.

However, if you answered yes to all these questions your child can anticipate a rewarding musical experience.

Alternatives to "Real" Lessons

Some children aren't ready for "real" piano lessons, but still enjoy the enrichment of a musical class. Kindermusik is an excellent choice. I currently teach several Kindermusik classes and it's lots of fun. I also teach a new KM program designed for the day-care/pre-school setting called Music Box. Please click on KinderMusik's web site for more information.

I also offer music enrichment classes for little ones in my studio including the new Little Mozart program. I use the piano to tell musical stories, emphasizing low, high, loud, soft, short and long sounds. We use a variety of rhythm instruments, puppets and songs as I teach basic musical concepts to prepare little ones for more formal piano lessons. Children enjoy the variety of games, movement, instruments and music.

So, take the test with your child. If you answer yes to the majority of the questions, don't hesitate to open the world of music to your little one. Enroll him in a Kindermusik class, or if you live in Douglas-Elbert County , email this site and I will refer you to an excellent teacher in your area.

Contributed by Debra Lee Wilson (Licensed KinderMusik Teacher)