Games/activities for preschooler student

[chopianista]

I'm currently studying Music Performance at a state university and have just started teaching two weeks ago. I'm teaching a pretty bright girl who's in preschool - I think she's 4 years old now. Seeing as I've never taught before, I'm having a hard time figuring out what to do in lessons. First lesson I showed her Middle C, explained the pedals, and note names. Some of that stuck - I had given all the notes animal names - A is alligator, B is bear, etc. She came back and knew it all in order!
Anyway, my question is how to keep her attention. I've been trying to come up with some games to keep her interested - her attention span is maybe 2 minutes. And she really enjoys singing. Any suggestions?

[keyofc]

HOw about teaching her do, re, mi -
with pictures of deer - ray of sun , etc.
and then taking some of that and teach simple songs?

[elza]

Hi Chopianista,
Given that there has been a limited response to your post, I would like to suggest you might look at material I have been developing for more than 10 years specifically for teaching the piano to very young children. You can find information on this approach at www.dogsandbirds.co.uk.  It seems to me that it is exactly what you are asking about. The approach uses animal names just as you have done, but they are of a single syllable so that they can be sung. I ask my students to sing the animal names always whilst playing and this provides extremely good ear training. The method contains a set of notes for parents and teachers, which is full of games and activities. You are right – at this age keeping the lessons varied, keeps them fun, as the children do have quite short attention spans.