Around the age of 5, children gain the ability to recognize
symbols and use "props" in their everyday play; a stick as a sword, a
broom as a horse, a hand as a pistol, etc. This development is an
important first step as musical notation is a series of symbols that
need to be translated to different movements and placement of the
fingers.
This ability to recognize symbols also go hand in hand with a child's language development. At this age, children are starting to translate their verbal language ability to writing and reading; perfect time to simultaneously introduce the language of musical notations. Their mastery of the alphabet is also essential to the learning of the musical alphabet--the first seven letters of the alphabet.
Along with their language development, children at this age also gain the ability to understand concepts like "before", "after", or "above" and "below". This development allows children to read musical notations going up and down on the page and translate that into movements to the right and left of the piano. Reading music this way is paramount in developing a pianist's reading ability because it takes away the step of recognizing notes as alphabets and then translating to movements, directly into translating movements on the page into movements of the fingers.
At 5 years old, the majority of children also start entering into the school system for the first time. The transition into more time away from parents and more time outside of the home helps ease a child into piano lessons with a private teacher. Their activities at school hones a child's ability to follow directions and rules, these are all very important abilities in having productive and effective lessons. Their entrance into the school system also helps a child become more comfortable around other adults and authority figures besides their parents.
Lastly, children around this age start to gain better control of their body. Kids at this age can start to participate in various sports. It's common for kids to start joining sports teams like baseball, soccer, flag football, or to start swimming competitively. This development of the larger movements then progresses to development of fine motor skills. Following their want for more independence at this age, a child starts to want to tie their own shoelaces, or button their own shirts--all activities that require fine motor control. This development provides a fine gateway into piano learning, another activity requiring fine motor control.
This ability to recognize symbols also go hand in hand with a child's language development. At this age, children are starting to translate their verbal language ability to writing and reading; perfect time to simultaneously introduce the language of musical notations. Their mastery of the alphabet is also essential to the learning of the musical alphabet--the first seven letters of the alphabet.
Along with their language development, children at this age also gain the ability to understand concepts like "before", "after", or "above" and "below". This development allows children to read musical notations going up and down on the page and translate that into movements to the right and left of the piano. Reading music this way is paramount in developing a pianist's reading ability because it takes away the step of recognizing notes as alphabets and then translating to movements, directly into translating movements on the page into movements of the fingers.
At 5 years old, the majority of children also start entering into the school system for the first time. The transition into more time away from parents and more time outside of the home helps ease a child into piano lessons with a private teacher. Their activities at school hones a child's ability to follow directions and rules, these are all very important abilities in having productive and effective lessons. Their entrance into the school system also helps a child become more comfortable around other adults and authority figures besides their parents.
Lastly, children around this age start to gain better control of their body. Kids at this age can start to participate in various sports. It's common for kids to start joining sports teams like baseball, soccer, flag football, or to start swimming competitively. This development of the larger movements then progresses to development of fine motor skills. Following their want for more independence at this age, a child starts to want to tie their own shoelaces, or button their own shirts--all activities that require fine motor control. This development provides a fine gateway into piano learning, another activity requiring fine motor control.
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