Combining disparate ages in a group
Found in: Shared Lessons
Heidi M., Canada
How well could it work to have two girls aged 7 and 11 in a small group? The 7-year-old just started a month ago and is doing great and learning as quickly as any 11-year-old would. The 11-year-old will likely start very soon. I cannot see any other reasonable match ups at the moment . Most of my students are adults or for other reasons most of the children I teach need to be in private lessons.
Joy O., Alabama
I have two boys, ages 6 and 11, in a lesson together. There was a 13-year-old boy who has stopped taking lessons. That group works. The 6-year-old has better parent support than the 11-year-old. Both are making good progress. It can work.
Leeanne I., Australia
Any ages can work together. I have had adults learning with children. I just let my groups know that occasionally, it may be necessary to change the group down the track, just so they are aware of it. We all learn at different paces. Give it a go!
Rochelle G., California
I have had a similar previous situation where I have told the new student if they take private lessons and work really hard and catch up to this other person, I’ll put them in the group at that point. Or when they catch up a little bit, put them in the group and add private lessons on top so that they can catch up to where the other person is. The only times I’ve done this have been with a younger sibling whose family is already in the program, and a case where a student had more lessons in the summer to catch up to the group in the fall.
Glenna B., Montana
You could ask her if she could find a friend who would like to start lessons with her.