Group or Private Lessons for Young Children
Students may train in keyboard skills by private lessons with an instructor or by participating in a class with other students. Most parents are unable to decide which type of piano lesson format to take for their child. The two types of venues are both effective, and we will show how a parent can decide.
The concept of class lessons with a group of young students under the age of six features pursuits like small percussion instruments, songs, dance and playing on a keyboard. Small students love to participate in group activities because they have lots of energy and the attention span is shorter than that of an older child. Children over the age of six will be able to play on the keyboard more, yet they can still learn rhythm and sing in class.
Younger children may find private lessons an ordeal to begin with, as they may not have been in a one-to-one teaching situation before. Also, some teachers can be perfectionists and demand lots of practice so they may be impatient if the student does not understand what they are supposed to do. Younger children cannot concentrate for a long period of time and they cannot stretch their hands far on the keys.
Some classroom lesson sessions and a few private instructors may require that parents attend the lesson with the child. The reason is that the parent can study their child’s behavior during the learning process, and possibly learn some music themselves if they don’t have any musical training. By observing lessons, a parent will be able to help their child if they do not understand and need help.
If the child seems to adjust to private lessons, then they should continue for awhile. It also depends on the approach and the personality of the private teacher. Is the instructor fairly patient and accommodating and offers stickers or little rewards if the child successfully passes a piece?
Group lessons can be hard to adjust by some young students because they may not like all the activity that goes on in the classroom. Private lessons provide a calmer atmosphere if the teacher is gentle and understanding with the younger student. Again, the parent should watch their child in the private lesson situation to see if they are learning and understand the musical concepts.
Does you child want the group lessons or private lessons? Did they ask to learn how to piano or join a group class? Let them observe the group classes or take a private lesson or two from a recommended teacher that accepts and enjoys working with very young students.
Remember that the child should look forward to the lessons. It’s not a good thing to make them attend the lessons like something they have to do, as they will grow to resent it. Parents should take note and maybe realize that the child may be too young for lessons and as they get older, they may change their minds.
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