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"Force" is a strong word...Do you know for certain these children are "forced"? Like physically? Emotionally?
Or are they "encouraged"? Or "given opportunities"?
Each family has their own set of values, and often times parents "strongly encourage" children to do things the children don't love because the parents/adults know it's good for them. (Ex.: Eating veggies, brushing teeth, homework, all manner of various activities in pursuit of a well-rounded happy whole person...) The ability to play a musical instrument is a skill set that some people value.
I'm using the word forced to describe strong encouragement, grooming, pressured, etc.
I can tell some parents maybe pushing their kids too hard and they might not be ready for certain types of training yet.
I remember being paid by someone to teach their 9-10 yr olds on how to program computers. It's very challenging because I don't think it can be taught easily until a certain age. They can probably learn the concepts through easier exercises and teaching them how to do simple computer fundamentals but parents should not expect their kids to be able to pick up on it unless they are geniuses or gifted. They also have to be willing to learn if not it becomes a babysitting exercise.
I know quite a few parents that forces their children starting at age 7 to take music instrument lessons. Do you agree or disagree with this?
I personally think unless the child is gifted or shown interest with music, then it's most likely a waste.
It may or may not be. Parents get their children involve in different activities at young age for various reasons. Remember, it's all about development of a child. Why pick on music instruments? Parents have their kids play sports at very young age too and most will end up not being interested at all.
I know quite a few parents that forces their children starting at age 7 to take music instrument lessons. Do you agree or disagree with this?
I personally think unless the child is gifted or shown interest with music, then it's most likely a waste.
I began taking piano lessons when I was 6 years old. Took them until I was about 16, then stopped (at my request, which my parents honored). I continued to play - just for fun - throughout college and in a couple bands as an adult. I saved up the money and once my husband and I bought a house our first big purchase was - you guessed it - a piano. I love that I can sit down at our piano and begin playing "Fur Elise" without hesitation, and that I can pull out my book of Clementi's Sonatinas and play all six nearly perfectly. If my parents hadn't "forced" me - I wouldn't have the love for music that I have now (I'm partial to ANY song on the radio that has a piano featured in it).
I had my kids take piano when they were about 7-8, respectively, and while they seemed to like it, they didn't love it. I didn't force them to continue after 2 years of lessons. However, once in middle school my son expressed interest in joining his school band. He signed up for a brass instrument and he loves it - and he says that taking piano lessons for a couple years helped him because he didn't have to start from scratch when it came to learning music. And he uses our piano to help practice at home (when learning to play a new song he'll play it on the piano first so he can hear what it is supposed to sound like).
My daughter took chorus in middle school and when learning the songs she would sit at the piano and pluck out her alto line when learning the songs.
So no, I don't think those two years of piano was a waste. My kids appreciate music - and the talent it takes to play an instrument - more than they might have otherwise. I've found my kids on more than one occasion sitting at the piano plucking out a tune or two...
It may or may not be. Parents get their children involve in different activities at young age for various reasons. Remember, it's all about development of a child. Why pick on music instruments? Parents have their kids play sports at very young age too and most will end up not being interested at all.
Agree! My kids tried EVERYTHING when they were young - soccer, gymnastics, baseball, dance (just to name a few) - before settling on the things they enjoy doing.
Parents also often have to "force" their kids to go to school, take a bath, brush their teeth, go to bed, eat the occasional vegetable, put a coat on in 10 degree weather, and so on.
There's a reason we don't let 7 year olds run their own lives.
My son wanted to try band in 5th grade. It wasn't a real class so you could drop at any time and not worry about your grade. He did it for a couple months then lost interest playing the sax. The instrument rental place does rent to own and it was a brand new yamaha so I just kept paying on it. that way it will always be around if he decides to pick it up later in life. In a couple months it will be paid off. He is in 7th grade now and likes choir better. Kids should not be forced to learn an instrument, it just creates resentment.
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