When Should I Start My Child in Music?

When can we start music lessons?
Expert Answers
David Geller, pediatrician

Whether your child takes a music appreciation class or starts actual lessons, she'll benefit mightily from being exposed to music. Kids can start formal music training as early as age 3, when brain circuits for learning music mature. In fact, studies at the University of California suggest that taking music lessons at age 3 can increase your child's brainpower. However, many piano teachers prefer that children wait until they are 5, when their hands are bigger and they're more ready to sit still and concentrate. (See more on music and toddlers.)If you don't feel your toddler is ready for formal music lessons yet, you might want to join an early music program such as Kindermusik, which focuses on fostering a love of music, rhythm, and self-expression. By exploring how different instruments sound, and how music makes her feel, your child may learn to appreciate music much more than if she were practicing scales.When your child is ready for more formal training, piano is a good instrument to start with, as the finger movements are less tricky than those for a guitar or violin. At this age, however, the most important thing is that your child enjoys herself. Make sure the instructor works well with young children and keeps the class fun and fast-paced.

for the complete article, and parent responses, go HERE ;)

Yet Another Reason Music Lessons "Beats" Sports....

Mayo Clinic Music Fun
By Lee Aase

We’ve highlighted the contributions of music to the healing environment at Mayo Clinic in some previous posts, but here’s another video from last fall that we discovered on YouTube. The exuberance of this older couple playing in the Gonda Building will brighten your day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RI-l0tK8Ok0&feature=player_embedded

A Few FAQ re Kindermusik

...including Kindermusik "vs" private lessons....

Q. Why should I bother with a Music Class at such a young age?

A. Instinctively, we know that music belongs in the lives of young children. Young children are ready for music! They are in their critical period for developing a good foundation in music, and musical potential is often lost if it is not nurtured and maintained in these early years. Anyone who works with young children, even infants, knows how eager and receptive they are to appropriate musical experiences. Additionally, recent brain research has pointed out non-musical crossover benefits of early music study and how important early music exposure is to a baby's normal devleopment. In a Kindermusik class, parent child interaction is fostered, socialization with other children is encouraged, fine-motor and gross-motor development is enhanced and language skills flourish. Kindermusik helps each child develop musically at the right time and in the right way. A Kindermusik Graduate has a solid foundation and a giant head-start when he or she moves to private instrumental, voice or even dance lessons.

Q. Why should I choose Kindermusik over Suzuki or other private instrumental lessons?

A. Many parents have found that this is not an either/or choice. Kindermusik and private lessons are not mutually exclusive. In fact, Kindermusik supplements and enriches private lessons. In addition, several Suziki components are used in the Young Child program. The appropriate developmental nature of Kindermusik activities ensures that learning is never "too much, too fast." It is the experience of many private piano instructors that a child who begins lessons much before age 7 or 8 is no further ahead of the child who begins at a later age. Kindermusik contains all of the needed elements to develop a child who is musically aware and who has the solid foundation to make private lessons a natural and joyous next step. Children who grow up in Kindermusik have had chances to succeed, be nurtured and encouraged in their early creative explorations and develop a core of music theory instilled through voice, body and mind. Music for them is a natural part of their environment, and they have gained the language of note, rhythm and _expression to help them as they select which instrument they most wish to make their own. Many experts agree that early musical enrichment lays a foundation for musicianship which may accelerate later progress on an instrument.Children who graduate from Kindermusik for the Young Child have a strong basis in theory, musicianship and instrumental technique. More importantly, they have been allowed to develop the whole child through music in a supportive and reassuring atmosphere laying the groundwork for a positive outlook towards continued musical learning and learning in general.

Q. My disposable dollar only goes so far. Why should I choose Kindermusik?

A. As children reach the age of 3 1/2 to 4, a world of possibilities in the community opens up to them. We can send our children to any number of wonderful activities. But, they don't all involve the family. Being able to enjoy our families in a rich musical enironment is priceless. These days, children are being pushed out into the world at younger ages than ever and it's nice to have an activity where family involvement is celebrated. Kindermusik provides carefully designed Home Materials made to suit the child's stage of development and the family's needs. Professionally recorded CDs provide music for dancing, singing along, creating and playing along, or just for joyful listening. Story books enhance a home library and help to develop early literacy. Home activity journals, activity books and cards provide the family with tested ways to expand the week's themes beyond the classroom experience with games, parenting information and craft ideas. Additional items suit each level's developmental play style-whether wall banners for infants and toddlers, specially designed instruments for older children or play sets for the creative mind of the preschooler. The Home Materials are to Kindermusik what lesson books and instruments are to formal lessons, or shoes and leotards are to ballet class--an essential part of full participation in the class as a whole. Many of the benefits of other activities, such as promoting physical coordination, improving social skills, building self-esteem and developing cognitive abilities and talents are all encompassed in the Kindermusik classroom. Plus, there is the added benefit of a developmental love of music that will last much past the time when the soccer cleats and karate belts are put away. Dr Carla Hannaford, author of Smart Moves says, "The importance of having families working together, where everyone benefits from the sense of belonging, gets directly at the heart of what we, as a society, are needing at this time to raise healthy, loving children...All of this is provided in the Kindermusik program".

Q. My child love Kindermusik but doesn't choose to participte when we're at class. Is this O.K.?A. Not to worry! Although this is sometimes frustrating to parents because of our performance oriented society, pushing children to perform has no place in an Early Childhood program of any kind. We believe the parent is the child's most important teacher and the home is the most important place for learning to grow. When you think about it, success should be measured more by what a child does all the rest of the week than what he does in the 30-45 minutes at Kindermusik class. Remember, Kindermusik is about process, not performance. Every child can be successful in a Kindermusik class no matter what his developmental level.

Q. My Child has special developmental needs. Is Kindermusik for her?

A. Absolutely! Many children with special physical, emotional and learning needs have generally thrived AND improved in Kindermusik.

Q. Is Kindermusik really this wonderful?

A. Yes! Kindermusik works for children because it is carefully researched and developmentally appropriate. Each child learns at his or own level and ability and revels in it! There is not one standard of performance that anyone is trying to meet and the WHOLE child is developed through the magic of music!

More Thoughts on When to Start Formal Lessons...

Here are some comments made recently by some other Kindermusik teachers...

"One thing that I point out to parents is that you can't rush physical development, and that, in most cases, a child in Suzuki piano (which is what most of them are considering) will spend a year or more playing single line, very basic melodies. That's what their little hands can handle. It can be very, very frustrating for a child to progress so slowly.I am, this year, going to try taking some of the ABC 4-6 pre-keyboard things and putting them into YC, and when we start working with C-A, putting that on the piano as well. My parents in ABC 4-6 LOVED the piano component, as did the children, and I think having that be included is likely to be a big selling point for keeping kids in KM.I also have to say this. My 3 yr old, KM raised DD was with me for piano camp a few weeks ago when I was doing Orff. and managed to get a few piano lessons out of several of the teachers while she was there. Almost to a 1, the teachers commented on her level of musical skill, and that she was SO easy to teach on piano. And my response is "She's been in Kindermusik since she was 2 months old." When I teach at piano camp and Suzuki institute, I can always tell the former KM students-they're the ones who go from being pre-twinkle to book 2 or 3 in under a year at age 6-7, and who generally are WAY ahead of those who started Suzuki at 3 or 4. And, they seem to have a lot more fun, joy, and enthusiasm in making music. They're willing to take chances, to improvise, to try things out.What's more, I see that in students who didn't take KM with me or through our program, who I didn't know had been in KM until I asked the child or the parent. It's a non-scientific sample, but it's pretty clear cut in results." Donna in Memphis

At What Age Should We Start Formal Music Lessons?

I get asked this question all the time. Many of you have heard my answer. For those who have not, or have not hit the age of even asking the question, here you go. This article appeared recently in the Omaha World-Herald newspaper. In it you’ll find some great advice.
Too young to play an instrument? By Jane Palmer

What are good starter instruments? For babies: rattles (maracas), tambourine, bongo drums. For toddlers and preschoolers: rhythm sticks, sandpaper blocks, maracas, drums, finger cymbals, triangles, cymbals, gongs, jingle bells, xylophone-type instruments with removable bars and chorded zither. Toy instruments won’t hold a youngster’s interest for long. Age 3 and older: new or gently used piano, which should be tuned once or twice a year. Second best is a digital electronic keyboard with touch-sensitive, weighted keys. Young violin players: smaller violins, scaled to a child’s hands and body.

How young can children typically start music lessons? For traditional piano lessons, at age 7. For band and orchestra instruments, in fourth or fifth grade, when children are big enough to manage the size of the instruments and have more lung capacity.

How can you get preschoolers interested? Listen to all styles of recorded music from birth. Sing together and play singing games. Participate in Kindermusik or other music experience programs for babies through age 7 or 9. Find local programs online at http://www.kindermusik.com/. Look for preschool programs that devote at least 10 percent of their time to music.

How much are lessons? From $15 to $40 for a 30- or 60-minute session.How do you obtain instruments? Introductory instruments such as sandpaper blocks may be available at toy or school supply stores. Most instruments require a trip to a music store. Ask for a student instrument. Turn down artist instruments, which are higher priced. Buy a used instrument to further cut costs, and ask about service and repairs after the sale. You may find a bargain in classified advertisements or at a pawn shop, garage sale or thrift store. Make sure everything works. Music stores often have a rent-to-own program. If you keep the instrument longer than atrial period, you own it and your monthly payments apply to the purchase. On the rental agreement, take note of the interest rate and total cost. It may be cheaper to obtain your own loan.

Sources: Joan Reist, past president of the Music Teachers National Association and retired associate professor of piano pedagogy at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Lance Nielsen, president of the Nebraska Music Educators Association and director of bands at Lincoln East High School. National standards published by the National Association for Music Education at www.menc.org/.

MANY thanks to KM with Jeanne for posting this article on her blog: http://kmwithjeanne.wordpress.com/2007/10/09/at-what-age-should-we-start-formal-music-lessons/