Bite-sized inspiration #6:
Music is a language.
Learn to speak it fluently, and you can communicate with people all over the world.
You’ll see his confidence grow.
You’ll see her eyes light up.
He’ll do family recitals for you at home.
She’ll run to the car giggling, with an ear-to-ear smile, to tell you all about it.
You’ll see how much he’s capable of, and best of all, you’ll see him realize that he is capable.
KiddyKeys®
KiddyKeys®
Hi, I’m Melissa!
That’s me over there, with my own daughter.
I’ve been teaching preschool-aged children since 2010. I love their enthusiasm, their curiosity, and their pure silliness.
Hi, I’m Melissa!
That’s me up there, with my own daughter.
I’ve been teaching preschool-aged children since 2010. I love their enthusiasm, their curiosity, and their pure silliness.
In my thirteen years of working with 3-5 year olds, I’ve learned some important things:
Let me guess:
Your child loooooves to sit still.
(Just kidding! Of course not.)
They’ll have years of sitting still in a chair ahead of them when they go to school.
But expecting them to sit on a piano bench for 30 minutes at this age? And still listen to what I have to say? That’s all wrong for this age.
So what does that mean, in lessons?
It means learning rhythm through dance parties. It means card games and board games. It means singing about new concepts instead of lecturing about them.
It means embracing their boundless energy and engaging their imaginations.
All children are inherently musical. Truly.
They are capable of so much more than many people realize.
So keep moving, yes! Learn through play. But don’t think that means young kids aren’t capable of incredible things. They are. Being in the passenger seat as they realize their potential is a great gift and a privilege.
I love toddler music classes. I used to teach one back in Indiana, and right now my own son does Music Together.
I also love private lessons. I get to know my piano kiddos from the time they’re six or seven years old, and I get to watch them grow. It is such a privilege to get to nurture them into confident, capable musicians.
BUT…for the longest time, I had no good solution for that in-between time. What do I tell a kid who is clearly not old enough for the structure of traditional lessons, but they’ve kind of aged out of their baby/toddler class?
Piano skills. Music appreciation. Foundational music concepts.
Play-based learning. Songs and games. Smiles all around.
Confidence. Creativity. And the seeds of a lifelong love of music.
Piano skills. Music appreciation. Foundational music concepts.
Play-based learning. Songs and games. Smiles all around.
Confidence. Creativity. And the seeds of a lifelong love of music.
- Rhythm and movement exercises that develop small and large motor skills
- Recognition of notes and note values
- Memory skill building through repeated music terminology
- Creative development through sound composition and exploration
- Development of verbal skills through group interaction
- Creative development through sound composition and exploration
- Development of verbal skills through group interaction
- Introduction to the music staff and piano keyboard
- Reinforcement of listening skills by discerning high and low, loud and soft sounds
- Hand-eye coordination through hands-on experience with rhythm instruments and the piano
- Recognition of the music alphabet, music terms, and symbols with worksheet activities
- Hand-eye coordination through hands-on experience with rhythm instruments and the piano
- Recognition of the music alphabet, music terms, and symbols with worksheet activities
- Music story time focusing on composers, music terminology, and behavior
- Counting exercises to help recognize numbers and develop math skills