How Old Should Your Child Be to Start Learning the Piano?

Education is one of the most important issues for any parent when it comes to our children, and trying to determine what is going to be the best route for them takes a lot of thinking and planning from the very first day our children come into the world. 

Some type of "formal" schooling seems to be available to kids who are younger and younger these days. And...they actually seem to thrive on it. Kids are amazing 'sponges' that easily absorb and retain much more information than we adults realize most of the time. 

It's not just 'regular' school that we're concerned about either. It's also the extra-curricular activities that we look for that will enhance their ongoing education as well as provide them with some fun.  

For millions of parents, the questions always arises at some point as to when it is appropriate to introduce their child to music; informally and formally.

Informally, our children first encounter music through us! Even in the womb, studies have shown that babies respond to rhythm and melodies, especially if they are heard every day. Have you ever noticed how quickly your baby learns to recognize a simple song such as "You Are My Sunshine", and positively responds to it when she hears it? There is even a lyrical quality to our voices that babies learn to recognize long before they understand words. 

Much of the informal learning of music happens without is being very consciously aware of it in the beginning. The function of this early learning is that it provides exposure of music to children and this awareness of music literally starts mapping its own route in the brain. <---There are incredible and unique benefits from this; physically and emotionally for children!

Later, as our kids grow, we start looking for more structured ways of helping them learn; such as piano lessons and working with a teacher that will take them to the next level.

Now, we come to the question that asks; what is the right age to start your child with piano lessons?

                                       *Mozart wrote his first symphony at age 8!

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In the broadest sense, it will always depend on each individual child. It's important to observe how your baby and young toddler react to music during the more informal  times, as this will help you find the right teacher when the time for lessons comes. 

In a more general sense, however, science says that there is a certain age range that is best for children to begin piano lessons, and that is between birth and 9 years old. 

Certainly, those earliest years before age 3 are the most informal learning years as mentioned above, but don't discount their importance as they lay the roots - or the foundation - of all the learning that will come afterwards. 

By age 3, most children are ready for some type of more formalized learning, such as a lesson. These lessons need to be somewhat loosely structured and are often beneficial if they are group set-ups, instead of one on one lessons. Suzuki Piano lessons are great for children this age. 

At around age 5 children are much more able to focus and handle more individualized lessons and are also ready to move into learning the specifics of playing the piano. Remember, up to this point, they are mostly learning about music and rhythm instead of learning how to play the instrument itself. 

Typically by age 10, most of the foundation has been strongly established so that children can move from that general knowledge of music into playing the piano, learning songs and reading music. They also are more physically developed and have the muscle strength and coordination to easily handle the physical demands of playing the piano. 

As you can see, it really starts at the beginning! All learning does and it really never stops if we allow ourselves to keep growing.

• Spend time with your baby just singing, dancing, all those wonderful "connecting" activities that end up exposing your little honey to the beautiful world of music.
• Then seek out some group piano lessons that you can usually find at a local college or university that will start a more formal (but still relaxed and fun) process of understanding music in general as well as introducing the piano and other fun instruments to your child. 
• As your child grows over the next couple of years, start seeking out more individualized learning choices, such as lessons with a teacher in addition to some group lessons. This is great to start at about age 5. 
• As your child's physical and cognitive development continue, you can then look into having weekly private lessons starting at around age 9 or 10. This is when your child is really ready to move forward into mastering the beginnings of piano playing, note reading, counting, and all of the other fun things that come with learning to play the piano!

Stay Tuned to LessonsOnTheWeb to learn much more and achieve your dreams (or your child's dreams) of playing the piano! 

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