In the past, before the rise of electronic games, internet, smart phones and before the pandemic, it was a standard the children to start piano lessons when they are 5-6 years old. Some would start at 7 years old.
What has changed? Children learned passivlely to be entertained. They just stare at a screen and expect things to be done for them, so they only consume the result. They do not like effort. Effort is not a value anymore, but a chore. They do not play with lego or other toys that require effort to assemble. So they are not used to the effort and failure. They haven’t learned through play and games that failure is a part of the learning process. They became unpatient, and loose interest as soon as there is need to focus, there is a problem, or things do not happen from the first try. Their hands do not hold toys and are not normally developed for their age. Their hands are weak. Often 5-7 years old come to my office and still do not know which hand is left, which hand is right, they don’t know how to hold a pencil. Often their parents failed to teach them these basic things.
So why? Parents are from the age of internet. They like to keep up connected constantly with FB, Instagram and other platforms. Time is limited, so instead of playing and explainging to their children they give them electronic games to play. Well, only thumbs and index finger are invloved in these. Children are not aware that their other fingers can move too.
I get calls from parents with young 5-6 years old. Now they are not ready for lessons. Why? Because of too much screen time.
Parents, please, help your children. Limit screen time. Let them play outside. Let them run, build things with their hands, ask them to help to make cookies, to clean, to organize. Make them active. Involve them in activities to stretch their brain.
Children brain is a sponge. I always get amased how fast they memorise. Use the “golden window of opportunity” age when everything comes fast and easy. Have them study a new language, dancing, ballet, some more sophisticted sport.
Then they are ready to start piano lessons. Learning piano requires discipline, rutine, control over mind, body and coordination of eyes, years, fingers, arms, feet and brain. Even learning “just for fun” or “a few songs” requires focus and effort. Prepare them for the effort by emphasising the benefits of learning.
Nowdays, as soon as I open the door, I know how long each prospective student will last in my studio. I see the parents behavior and the children responce. I know if they will be patient to learn or not.
The bottom line is, the parents with their own attitude set up the children to succeed or fail in each activity they go to. There are exceptions than only prove above observations.
So, when to start piano lessons? When your child can focus for at least 15 min, can use their hands for more than only sliding Ipad screen, and have some curiosity and most imprtantly when parents realise that they need to help in the process by guiding and supporting the learning process.
© Dr. Nelly Matova, Matova Music School 2025
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Matova Music School 