|
Out of the mouth of babes and unweaned infants...
|
|
A letter from Mrs. Denie, the author of Early Childhood Music... Why does Kids 'n Keys work? Sometimes an inquiring parent says that they prefer the one-on-one of a private lesson, feeling that their child will receive better instruction with a private instructor. We understand that thinking, but in actuality, private lessons usually doesn't work for a preschool child (age 6 and under). I have taught private piano lessons to children for over 45 years. After many attempts to teach private lessons to preschool children, I made the decision, many years ago, to require new students to be at least second semester, 2nd grade and up. We are not putting down private instruction, because we do that too... when their age enables it. But our Kids 'n Keys program DOES WORK for preschool children! Why? 1. We sing everything. 2. We sing solfege. (do, re, mi) 3. We have movement and fun. 4. We are partner-based. 5. Our classes include positive peer pressure. A student will perform a specific task, simply because everyone else is doing it. 6. We reward everything! We believe and have seen that a child will bloom to what is expected of them if they are rewarded and praised. (More information will be given on each of these items at our next Partner Workshop.)
Watch this video of a student at our Spring 2010 piano recital. This student began our program as a five year old, and graduated from Kids 'n Keys in December 2010. (She has been working with Mrs. Denie in the piano lab since graduation.) Be ready to be amazed! While this student is an exceptional student, every child who gradates from KnK is able to transpose into 3-5 different keys and write their own songs. That's really incredible. |