Many parents wonder if their preschoolers can handle music lessons. The answer is yes, with a little bit of parental guidance.
It happens all the time. Parents hear their four-year-old carefully picking out songs on a toy (or real!) piano, or see him making new rhythms with the help of a spatula and some pots and pans. The question arises: is it too early to enroll a child this young in music lessons?
The benefit of Early Music Lessons
If the child can concentrate for a half-hour period, it is never too young to start music lessons. Preschool-age children are soaking in everything from the world around them. This is the best time to introduce new sounds, rhythms, and musical sensitivity. Being a part of the essay writing service, I can state that music stimulates areas of a child’s brain that other mental and physical activity will not, and it will make a lasting impression.
Parents must keep in mind though that they are a necessity in their child’s development process! A four-year-old is only going to remember the music lesson for maybe five minutes after it’s over. It’s the parents’ job to get lesson notes from the teacher, and then follow through with them during the period before the next lesson, making sure the young child practices what the teacher said correctly.
Why Parental Involvement is Essential
Young children need their parents to help. Just because they show a proclivity for music does not mean they can remember exactly what to practice and how. Because of children’s limited experience in life, and music, it is harder for them to remember exactly what the teacher says to practice unless they have someone refresh their memory every day. Since they are most likely unable to read, if the teacher writes lesson notes, it is a must for the parents to read these for their child each day before practice.
Lesson memory and notes aside, it would be a very dedicated preschooler that knowingly goes over to his instrument to practice each day. Sure, playing around on the piano is fun, hitting pots and pans is fun, but the structured practice is something else entirely. “I think I’ll go and practice that tough measure in my Minuet five times in a row” is not something that crosses a young child’s mind. The parent must listen to make sure the child actually practices and doesn’t just play random notes and songs.
Benefits of Parental Involvement:
● Shows parental interest in the child
● Lets the teacher know she is supported by the child’s parents and that lesson instruction will be reinforced at home
● Benefits the parents as they learn the basics of whatever their child is playing
Even if children aren’t destined to be the next Mozart or Beethoven, they are sure to have more fun in their lessons when they are aided at home. Concepts introduced by essaywritercheap.org in lessons will cement themselves faster and last longer in a child’s brain when a parent ensures that the child is practicing, and practicing correctly.
What if Parents Don’t Understand Music?
But what about parents who know nothing about music, and don’t know what their child is supposed to practice or how? Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Any teacher worth her mettle will be happy to spend a little extra time with parents so that children get the most out of music lessons. And the benefits are shared by all three parties: parent, teacher, and child.
With a little help from parents and supervised work from a preschool-age student, by the time Kindergarten comes around, that child will not only be able to play the instrument at a beginner level, he will also have learned 2 important things:
● Parents will help and support them in their endeavors.
● They will experience success at learning.
Aren’t these the kind of experiences everyone wants his or her child to have?
Learn how music lessons benefit young children’s memories or discover how the Suzuki method is a great start for young beginners.
