The short answer? Depends on the kid
Experts agree that children should be getting musical experiences early, and the proven developmental benefits of music in cognitive, motor, and life skills have made musical learning a high priority for many families.
What is not always agreed upon, however, is when to
start private 1-on-1 lessons for a particular instrument.
Some teachers advocate that it’s much better to go with group music classes then switch to private lessons around 7+. While I would agree that there are fantastic programs available for this, I’m also a huge fan of starting private lessons during the Pre-K years because:
- Kids get into the structure and habits of private practice right away (and parents do to!)
- They build skills of interacting with an adult teacher 1-on-1, which prepares students for school and boosts confidence in shy students
- They begin developing motor and cognitive skills geared directly for their instrument at their own unique pace
- They begin the path toward independent learning and achieve a sense of pride in their own work
How do I know if my child is ready?
I LOVE using Wunderkeys with Pre-K piano students. Their article here perfectly addresses how to tell when your child is in a good place to start!
https://wunderkeys.com/2014/01/13/is-my-child-ready-for-wunderkeys-piano-lessons/
If you decide Pre-K lessons are right for your child, be sure to find a teacher who really believes in the benefits of private instruction at this age and has a special curriculum/method for them. This means they use MORE than just a lesson book. Kids at this age need to move and explore, not sit glued at a bench staring at the same page for 30 minutes. Games, ear training activities, improvising, and learning music history are all part of making great musicians. After all, we’re not teaching them musical typing!
I hope this helps you think about what avenue is right for your child. But no matter what you choose, keep encouraging music making with your kids at home! No one in the world has more influence on their love of music right now than you do.
