is it too early for a 5 year old to take piano lessons, and how often a month?
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I can tell you that singing really helps to develop an 'ear for music'. For those of us less talented, they go hand in hand and help each other out ... and I know that because I frankly am not great at either singing or playing an instrument but when I did both, hand in hand, I got much better at both very quickly. At any rate, I would not discount the value of the singing if you decide to continue the lessons and it is still a necessary 'entertainment' element to use up your full half hour. Using the time that way is not playing 'Go Fish' or 'hide and go seek' and it can be very beneficial.
One thing I'd strongly recommend would be keeping practices between lessons short (like, two five minute sessions are way better than one ten minute session) and making a game of them, never a chore. How fast can you play the song? How slow can you play the song? Play scales in time with the popcorn popping in the microwave, and when it's done, we'll eat popcorn! That kind of thing. In the long run, fostering a level of comfort and affection for music can be more productive than perfect assiduousness.
Our society is extreme in discounting what little people can do. We treat them like pets or toys. Nothing harms children like the soft bigotry of low expectations. I think a POTUS said that.
Actually, expectations that are too high are just as harmful, and our society has definitely gone toward that extreme. I'm talking about expectations such as 4-year-olds should be reading at a certain level, playing in music recitals, or being part of a sports team. Some kids are ready for those things at any early age and others are not. If they're not, you can absolutely harm them by "expecting" them to perform beyond their maturity level.
Actually, expectations that are too high are just as harmful, and our society has definitely gone toward that extreme. I'm talking about expectations such as 4-year-olds should be reading at a certain level, playing in music recitals, or being part of a sports team. Some kids are ready for those things at any early age and others are not. If they're not, you can absolutely harm them by "expecting" them to perform beyond their maturity level.
I do not recommend parents being concerned with SATs at preK. My dream school would be Reggio Emilia environment for little people.
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