Ideally each pupil should have a home piano for practising and playing, but  for the first years it is possible to use an electric keyboard. Small children need to be supervised in lessons and at home by a willing parent. They are encouraged to start with Stepping Stones, a combination lesson, or with the programme I favour, Music for Little Mozarts, which is excellent for preschoolers.

Theory lessons are offered to suit the board of practical exams.  An excellent way of acquiring a good grasp of basic theory and the rudiments of music is through the excellent programme Musical Mind Games by Michiko Yurko, www.musicmindgames.com. Children learn through games and it perfectly compliments instrumental lessons.

For small children Jill recommends group lessons.  Stepping Stones is an excellent programme to sow the seeds for musical skills and a life-long love of music.  Another way learning can be supported, at all stages, is by supplementing lessons with use of computer learning programmes.  These can help fill any learning gaps and foster individual interests.

Stepping Stones

Stepping Stones is a five-year group music programme for young children just emerging from babyhood to early school years.  During this time children undergo enormous physical and mental changes.  Music can help to turn on brain activity and build self-confidence in readiness for school.

As well as being fun and laying the foundations for a lifetime appreciation of the arts, more formal music training and linking to our culture, music helps establish patterns of brain development.  Music through movement aids neural connections. It assists language development and helps with visual tracking.  In short, music helps in the development of body, mind and spirit.  Stepping Stones and similar programmes can have very beneficial effects on the developing brain.

The parent is a very important part of this learning.  Young children see the whole world through the parent and your positive attitude towards music and the classes will give your child a life-long love of music. The programmes are intended to give you many ideas that you can use in your home play.  Music should be part of everyday life, not something for just once a week.  The Tiny Tots classes are attended by child and parent together and parents should become fully involved doing everything with the child and sharing the fun.  Kindy Kids attend for part of the lesson on their own to allow them to explore their own ideas more freely.  Jumping Jacks are happy to attend on their own, but we still encourage parents to attend at the end of the lesson for one or two activities or dances.

There is a huge benefit by following the whole programme through as each year builds on and develops concepts learnt earlier but all programmes can stand alone.  You are welcome to enter the programme at any time, but the best time is at the beginning of a new term.  There are 4 terms a year, each of 8-9 weeks.   Materials are provided free of charge.  There are 2 packages of materials a year (one per semester) consisting of song/activity book and CD of the core songs.  This enables the songs to be learnt at home so that the children are able to sing along in class.