5 Piano Lessons for Kids That Are Fun and Effective
The best time to learn music is as a child. The developmental stage and cognitive processing helps children to learn faster while strengthening their musical capacity at a later stage in life. If you are looking for the perfect solution for fast and fun musical teaching, then you will want to look at specific approaches to encourage learning.
Not all methodologies are equal and offer what a child needs to learn. Determining what works best for your child’s needs ensures that they can learn easily and want to continue to play.
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| Photo | Model |
|---|---|
 | Casio PX-S1100 |
 | Casio CDP-S360 |
 | Yamaha P-45 |
 | Yamaha NP12 |
 | Yamaha P-515 |
 | Yamaha NP32 |
 | Korg LP-380 U |
 | Yamaha DGX 670 |
Tip #1: Examine Methodology Books
Most teachers specialize in a particular method to help children learn quickly and grasp basic concepts when learning the piano. You will want to know the difference between the course materials used and how effective they are for your child. Some focus on learning to read first while others believe that rhythms and basic melodies by ear as the central focus. Grasping the differences with learning styles for children guarantees faster and effective learning for your child.
When you are looking at methodologies, you will want to match the type of learning with the interests of your child. Most children decide not to continue to play piano because of the method. There are two general reactions that take place. One is a sense of boredom because there isn’t a challenge from the book. The other is when theories are too difficult and don’t allow a child to move forward.
If your child is a visual learner, then learning to read first may work best. If the child responds as a kinesthetic or auditory learner, then alternative approaches offer supportive solutions for faster learning. The learning method will become an encouraging and exciting approach that keeps a child’s interest.
You will want to examine the popular trends available for children’s learning. There are traditional approaches that are used and which most teachers recommend. You may hear methodology names that are popular among teachers because of the generational use and training. The focus of these methodology books is based specifically on classical styles of learning.
You will also want to look at contemporary methodologies, such as learning by ear, rhythmic training and online courses for children. These will expand to other genres while offering your child something tangible and fun for learning. Find what matches their interest first then combine this with supplementary materials to understand the musical theories.
Tip #2: Add In the Fun
Without enthusiasm or excitement, learning the piano for a child is impossible. Even though a methodology book is a staple for learning, you want to make sure the learning curve is enjoyable. You will find that fun leads to faster and more effective learning. You will find supplementary options to add in for fun, such as learning songs that they know or looking at games that highlight their learning curve. By adding in extras, you will find that children learn faster while have positive experiences while playing the piano.
If you are considering a music teacher or a specific book, then you want to make sure that this matches with entertainment and enjoyment. You will find that kids games, pictures and entertainment integrated into the books and curriculum change the outcome of learning. Other formats focus on discipline first, leading to a different approach to learning. For many children, this is more important or effective while learning piano. You will want to look at the characteristics of your child to determine what the best and fastest path is for learning.
Remember that every child learning to play the piano wants results, which encourages further development. This is the fun and enjoyment of music and becomes a positive experience from their childhood. Teaching songs when they are just starting will accelerate their learning and peak interest over a longer time frame. You will want to focus on different songs of interest while integrating this into other theories and books used. The types of music presented to your child will help them to embrace music while speeding up the process of learning.
Tip #3: Supporting the Learning Curve
Every teacher focuses on one rule: practice makes perfect. For a child, this becomes one of the most difficult part of maintaining interest in music. Practicing for 10 – 15 minutes a day will assist with progression and help to retain information. This is essential not only to learn the piano and music.
Children are developing motor skills, which relates to cognitive development. The process of learning impacts their skills in processing information for a lifetime. If this isn’t continuously focused on and exercised, then it is difficult to progress with the piano. You will want to create a practice sheet and support them in becoming disciplined with the required practice.
To make sure that a child is practicing, it is best to have different exercises or rewards to encourage learning. Method books will focus on progressions by learning a new song once a week. If you are using an alternative method or learning online, the you will want to look at a similar structure for a positive outcome. Becoming involved in daily practice with certain routines will assist with the musical development of a child.
An important part to supporting the learning curve is to help a child become aware of what happens when they learn music. Introducing them to new and exciting songs, playing with both hands, learning new games and other rewards will encourage practice. By introducing new programs every week, it will motivate the child to learn and practice without difficulties. Adding in practice that they like, such as allowing them to pick certain songs or play games will also provide assistance with their practice.
Tip #4: Track Progress, Make Changes
If a child is making progress through a method book and maintains interest, then this is a sign that there is interest and learning. If you notice that there is not enough progression, then certain changes should be made with the chosen approach. Either the child is bored with the theories or is not able to understand the concepts that are currently being learned with the music lessons.
You can easily re-peak interest and change the pace of learning for your child. Start a conversation to see why there is not continuous progression with music. If there is a lack of interest, find songs that they enjoy. If you find that there is difficulty, look at a different approach in learning. Changing games, looking at alternative learning styles and altering methodologies will refuel interest. It is important to break through the road blocks that often take place when learning music. The amount of information processed when beginning piano for a child is often overwhelming. You want to keep communication open and make any changes to help with the process of learning.
Tip #5: Encouragement and Support
The deciding factor of whether a child continues to play the piano is measured by the encouragement offered. You will want to find ways to positively support the progress they are making. Smaller recitals, playing for friends and focusing on updated learning methods will keep a child excited and allow them to progress rapidly.
You will want to look at the way that a child learns to offer extra encouragement. For instance, it is known that children who have peer support often learn at a faster pace. Adding in group recitals, friends who play or other forms of encouragement will support the learning process. You can also look at accompanying musical activities that are able to provide opportunities to support their learning. Take your child to a concert or play different types of piano music on the radio. This shows the possibilities for the piano and becomes a consistent approach for encouragement.
The support that you give to a child is inclusive of special recognition as well as daily support. When they practice, make sure they receive positive support as an outcome. Listen to what they are learning, interact with their lessons and ask questions about their music lessons to assist with faster learning. The ability to speak about the music or to interact with others while relating to the piano assists with processing the information. Always be aware of the developmental phase of learning of a child, specifically with the muscle and motor skills and cognitive processes. This has a direct impact on their learning and will alter their capacity to process musical information over a lifetime.
Accompanying Piano Courses
There are two approaches to consider with a child that wants to learn the piano. The first is the traditional method, allowing children to learn the notes of a piano, rhythms and the basic songs. Usually, the courses available with these methods allow children to play smaller songs and scales to peak interest while introducing new concepts. The most popular book is Alfred’s, known for the several levels of learning that are a part of the piano courses. Another method that is often used is “Faber,” which uses a similar method but different songs to learn the theories of music.
A different approach often used is to jump start the learning process is alternative methods. You can look at online courses or teachers that have developed unique approaches for children. Often, there is accompanying material for children that will differ. Many will add in ear training or learning specific types of music. If you want to add in unique courses, then looking at song books, such as beginner Disney songs may assist with peaking the interest of your child. Technology has added more opportunities with educational computer games for kids. When you look at different methods or song books, you will want to keep this in mind:
- Look at the age requirements and levels of each method
- Find a method that matches your child’s learning
- Books should have plenty of pictures and graphics
- Understand the way that each lesson progresses
- Find the songs that each child will learn to make sure it peaks their interest
You can consider using more than one methodology to accompany your child’s learning. Often, mixing their favorite songs with a theory book will help a child to progress rapidly and apply theories to music. You can also look at how fast they will learn and match this with their learning style. This will assist with keeping peaked interest from a child.
Learning music at a young age allows every child to develop new skills that last for a lifetime. Supporting their journey with different tips ensures that they remain encouraged and able to learn their favorite songs. Observing their learning curve and responding with different methods ensures they are able to progress rapidly and enjoy playing music. With the right support and a focus on learning that is easy and fun, children can enjoy learning piano and playing their favorite songs.
- If you’re still interested in learning how to play piano or keyboard, get your copy of Piano for All today, which features 10 eBooks, 200 video piano lessons and 500 audio piano lessons!
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