"When should my child begin music lessons?"
This is a question that is asked by many parents. There is a simple and a less simple answer. The simple answer is when your child is able to stay focused on any one activity for 15 minutes of time without parental/teacher supervision. Yes, violin/viola lessons are 30 minutes in length, but if a child can stay focused on an activity for half that time by themselves, they can certainly stay focused on an activity twice that time with assistance from a teacher.
The less simple answer is this: If a child has not shown a tendency to be able to maintain extended periods of focused self-play, then perhaps violin lessons would be perfect for this child. Why? Because through music lessons, child, parent and music teacher can begin establishing the sort of interest and focus necessary to learn new activities. Research has shown that any skill, including any brain centered activity, becomes easier with repitition. The brain's ability to focus, like a muscle, becomes stronger with assisted and repeated practiced. Music lessons can provide that training.
The less simple answer is this: If a child has not shown a tendency to be able to maintain extended periods of focused self-play, then perhaps violin lessons would be perfect for this child. Why? Because through music lessons, child, parent and music teacher can begin establishing the sort of interest and focus necessary to learn new activities. Research has shown that any skill, including any brain centered activity, becomes easier with repitition. The brain's ability to focus, like a muscle, becomes stronger with assisted and repeated practiced. Music lessons can provide that training.
