Right age to start

[mikeyg]

I have a godson/cousin who is 2 (he turns 3 in September).  I was interested in atleast getting him started playing the piano, as i love it so much.  I was wondering what age would be good for him to start, about, and if there is any special techniques to teaching children of an extremely young age.

Thanks
        Mike

[kilini]

Look, he shouldn't start until at least three. His hands and probably parts of the brain would not be developed enough. But in the meantime, let him listen to the older classicals (softer and harmonious) ALL THE TIME, don't expose him to the Revolutionary Etude full on.
And make sure he is exposed 24/7 to a PERFECTLY TUNED piano.

[bernhard]

Teaching a 2-year –old? Just like the captain of the Titanic, you are about to meet an iceberg of gigantic proportions.

Have a look here:

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,1884.msg14708.html#msg14708
(Motivating children –  joining the child’s model and using other children’s accomplishments to motivate)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2192.msg18542.html#msg18542
(methods for very young students – Candida Tobin website)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2192.msg21823.html#msg21823
(How to teach very young students – the historical method, the pragmatical  x logical method and total exposure as the best way for under-5s)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4020.msg36635.html#msg36635
(What to teach a 4-year old in his first lesson)

Just the tip…

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[pianonut]

a modified version of kodaly is what i would use.  you can go to the library and make a book for him (for use everyday - by mom or dad) and a tape to go along with it (you playing - and someone who is good at singing) of all the historic to modern children's songs you can find.  some in the reader's digest song book, some in children's music books, and some in various and odd places.  i did this for my nephews when they came to visit (and made copies for everyone) so we could do a sing-along.  when a song is recognizable and made 'at home' inside the child, then he/she can sing it (helping memory - remembering words AND solfege) in fun.

also, bach's family tended to just be around music - writing, listening, being immersed.  i wonder if we had a few very young children's notebooks (to scribble and write in) if they would use them.  my daughter, who is three, LOVES stickers.  you could find some musical note stickers (or find a cutter and cut them yourself) and use the staff as the place to put them.

getting more specific later:  learning the hand signs of solfege (kodaly), including neighbor children in your musical experiences, making instruments (paper towel rolls - pie pans taped together- oatmeal containers), and then also going to concerts for young children.  usually about the time they start to read ( you can introduce sight reading) have them trace not just alphabet letters (i used to make my own dotted ones to trace) but notes on the staff (random at first) and clef signs.  with children, THE BIG thing is not to give too much information out at once.  just little bits every day that add up over time.  you can make a notebook for yourself and stay ahead (just like schoolteachers)  making sure everything works together from the previous day (or time you were with the child). tell the parents to practice what you give them every day!

[pianonut]

ps when you make a music book, enlarge everything!  this makes a great difference in reading ability, i have found.  it makes it fun and easy to look at (keep the pictures, too - as you could double it for a coloring book).