Assess their ability to read
Granted, children are knowledge sponges. They tend to absorb information much faster than adults do. This is why children have an easier time learning a foreign language. Music is also a language and learning music is much easier when you can read the staff and understand the notes. You may be tempted to start music lessons before your child even begins school. Luckily, learning musical notes is much easier than learning the alphabet as the basic notes are only seven of them. And even if your child can’t read yet, don’t worry! Young children learn effectively by rote and memorization. In fact, many traditional teaching methods, including the Suzuki Method, emphasize learning by ear in the initial stages.
Assess their physical capabilities
If you are interested in your child taking up an instrument as part of their music lessons, then it would be pertinent to assess their physical capacities. Some musical instruments are much easier to handle than others are. For example, if your child is small in stature, they would not be able to take on a trombone as their first instrument. However, you would be able to start them off on something smaller such as violin or even a simple flute. Guitars are some of the instruments that come in an assortment of sizes, so this would also be a suitable first instrument for your child. Additionally, the piano is always a great beginner instrument for all children.
Assess their mental growth
Another important aspect to consider before deciding on music lessons for your child is their mental capability. To ensure that the music lessons you are paying for do not go to waste, you need to determine whether your child would be capable of concentrating for the length of the lesson. At the very least, before you start these lessons, your child should be able to pay attention for at least half an hour at a time. Moreover, they would also need the temerity to sit down and practice on their own on a regular basis. If your child is easily distracted, you may want to wait until they learn how to hone in their concentration.
Assess their fine motor skills
Learning an instrument may not be akin to writing, but it does need the learner to have some fine motor skills. Thus, you need to determine if your child would have the dexterity to play an instrument before you sign them up for music lessons. Younger children who have not yet learn how to hold a pencil or use a pair of scissors properly may have a hard time learning how to coordinate their fingers to play an instrument. Additionally, an instrument such as a the guitar or violin, in which the student’s’ hands are performing two opposite movements, may be more challenging than an instrument such as the piano in which the hands perform the same type of movements.
If your child meets the above criteria, then they would be ready to start their musical lessons. You can opt to take them to a formal class with other students or have an instructor carry out personal lessons at your home!
