KANATA, Ontario, April 12, 2011 – There have been many articles lately about the importance of piano lessons and boosting a child’s IQ but we should not forget how much fun it is to learn to play an instrument. It also provides children with a sense of accomplishment. The development of a healthy self-esteem and self-confidence should encourage any parent to enrol their child in music lessons. Children are curious and love to learn. Music opens their minds and reaches across cultures and needs no translation.
When is the right time to start children in music lessons? Formalized training should start as young as three. Music is like a language and the best time for that window of opportunity is from 3-10. Group lessons are one of the best ways for young children to learn because they are not only learning from the teacher but also from each other. The interaction in a Music for Young Children class is very important and the use of puppets and props emphasizes interactivity, playing and having fun.
In group lessons singing and rhythm ensembles are two of the most effective tools. Singing in a group setting makes them less self-conscious and gives them time to develop their voices. Rhythm ensembles are favourite activities of young children. Rhythm instrument ensembles promote rhythmic fluency and reinforce steady pulse and consistency of speed (tempo). This ensemble training starts in children as young as three years old in Music for Young Children using such instruments as hand drums, castanets, tambourines, triangles, rhythm sticks and claves.
Toddler music groups are good for developing social skills and also help young children overcome shyness. Classes with pre-school students need to be active and engaging and include songs, storytelling and puppetry. This keeps the children focused and entranced. Music for Young Children’s Sunrise program is a good example of this and the program delights young children with their three main characters Buddy the Frog, Mellow Yellow, a dog and Buzz, the fly.
Group piano lessons: encourage communication in a positive verbal and nonverbal manner; cooperation with peers; helps students achieve success; teach children self-control; and helps students accept the consequences of their own behaviour. Group piano lessons help students develop the positive attitudes and skills needed for collaboration, leadership and peer acceptance. And one of the benefits of group lessons is that students learn more repertoires from each other through collaborative learning.
Students naturally like to play and work together and it adds excitement to their learning. Music is doing, feeling, moving, listening and creating. The most important thing parents can know is that their child will develop in a far more enriched way with music lessons.
“Music for Young Children has provided a fun and entertaining element for our family. The kids love the fact that we can all take turns playing and that mom and dad are involved in their music experiences. TV has become less important and it is watched much less. In my daughter’s three years of MYC, I have never heard her complain about having to practice. I love to see her passionate about it.” Jill Vasy, parent.
In MYC classes the child and parent bond as a "music team" during lessons and that carries on at home during daily practice and other family activities.
“The props are awesome. The kids are having fun while they’re learning. I feel the program moves at a good pace and realize as a parent how important it is that we are there to support them and help them at practise time. I’m able to have two kids in the same program which truly is a benefit. I’d like to really stress that the FUN in MYC makes it so enjoyable for my kids. We happen to also have an exceptional teacher. What an awesome concept Music for Young Children is!” Cheryl Beatty
For more information about Music for Young Children call your closest Mississauga's MYC teacher. We love to hear from you!
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