Is Your Toddler a Musical Genius? Tips on the Best Age to Start Piano Lessons

07/13/2016

Written by: Jenny Daniels

Could your child end up being the next musical genius? Or maybe you just want to give them the best head start on their educational experience? Whatever the case is, you should know that musical education early on can help enrich your child’s life in so many ways. Learning a musical instrument such as the piano helps to improve hand-eye coordination, intelligence, and discipline. With music having so many benefits, many parents wonder how soon is too soon to start.

Is it Too Soon?

In this informational age, you’ve likely seen a ton of videos of three-year-olds playing complex music pieces by Mozart. Naturally, you wonder if you can give your tiny tot piano lessons so that they too can be musical geniuses. The truth is, that while there are some children that show an interest in music early on, they may not be ready or inclined to internalize the structure and discipline that it takes to receive formal instruction.

That said, if your child is under the age of 5 but showing interests in the piano or other musical instruments, it is best that you allow them to explore more on their own until they’re of age to receive proper instruction.

Prerequisites to Being Ready

Deciding when to sign your child up for piano lessons will really depend on your child. However, a good piano teacher would recommend starting between the ages of 5 and 8. Below, are a few telltale signs that your child is ready to master the piano:

·  Hand Size

In order to successfully play the piano, your child will need to feel comfortable as they place five fingers on five adjacent white keys. If you believe your child is ready, take their hand and allow them to five fingers on five white keys. If it seems like a stretch for them, you may want to wait a while longer.

·  Finger Mobility

Much like typing, your child will need to master the skill of moving their fingers independently of each other. To determine if your child is ready, have them to play an easy tune on the piano. If they can play the tune while keeping all of their fingers on the right keys and moving them independently, then they may be ready for a lesson or two. However, if they have to pluck the keys one finger at a time, they may need more time.

·  Desire & Interests

When it comes to extracurricular activities such as learning the piano, you don’t want to force your child to participate. The biggest motivators to learning an instrument are the desire to learn and an interest in music. If they don’t really show interest, it will be more difficult for them to learn and thus a waste of time and money.

So, does your child seem to add up to the list of requirements for readiness? Or is it best that you allow them to explore the world of music in another way? Whatever the case is, your child will enhance their abilities to learn and grow as individuals through musical education. So take their interests in music as a vantage point to immerse their young minds into the world of music as a whole. When the timing is right, you’ll know and your child will appreciate it all the more.