Starting age for SM
Found in: Young Students
Beth S., Idaho
I’m a new SM teacher and have started one class with two students which is going really well so far. I have run into some people with younger aged kids than what I originally thought was a good age to start teaching. I had always been open to ages 8+. Yet I get a lot of inquiries for kids ages 6-7. I was wondering what you thought on what age is a good starting recommendation for Simply Music Piano, and why. My concern is with chords and hand sizes.
Corinne S., Georgia
Although there are a few notable exceptions, I find that many 6-7 year olds have a harder time with fine motor skills for chords and that their hands are too small to reach the bigger chords (like Bishop Street Blues)–so that I’ve needed to take longer as they develop motor skills and make adaptations to chords.
Brenda D., Colorado
In particular for the Bishop Street Blues chord, there is a two-note version of the chord that is an option.
For me, it depends on the child. I have successfully started 6- and 7-year-olds.
Jaclyn O., Tennessee
I started a 5-year-old student who is about to celebrate her second anniversary with me. I was a bit skeptical at first but heard that others had success, so gave it a try. The student and her mother were very eager to get started too, so I’m sure that helped. The mother wanted to start her early in hopes that it would help keep her interested for longer, so that she wouldn’t quit. She herself got started later and ended up quitting in middle school when too many other things seemed more fun.
My 5-year-old student’s progression was much slower than two other students who started about the same time. Those two students were age 7. Most everything took twice as long with the 5-year-old. But then one day she began learning songs at the same pace as the older students.
I delayed her a bit longer on starting the rhythm process, as each time I tried she wasn’t focused enough, so we’d set it aside and try again in a few weeks. We did that for a while and then finally one day she successfully worked through a page of Reading Rhythm and we kept on going. She’s at Ties and Note Naming and will soon begin the Reading Notes program. This student is in the middle of Level 3 and is 1/3 or more of the way through Accompaniment 1. She has the best playlist among all my students.
I’ll be honest, she was my most challenging student to start. But part of that was because she could not sit still and stay focused. Her mom helped tremendously with that. I scheduled a break after her lesson because it was so exhausting. But looking back, I am so glad I took her on. She is the most dedicated, sweetest thing, and now I look forward to seeing her every week.
I know not every 5-, 6-, or 7-year-old student will turn out the same way. Unless you just don’t want a little extra work up front that could come with a younger student, I wouldn’t dream of turning a younger student away just because of their age. But that’s not to say I wouldn’t turn one away if I didn’t see the right level of interest and cooperation with the parents.
Joy O., Alabama
I generally try to keep 7 as my youngest age, although I started a student at age six who had been in an early music program. I think the group lessons are great for keeping the interest of younger students, because they are moving around from piano to chairs and round robin on the piano. They get natural movement instead of sitting on the piano bench swinging their legs.
Heidi M., Canada
I think it depends on the child. I have an 8-year-old who started with me at age 6 and he is doing very well, though he had to spend six weeks overcoming some motor skills issues. But he stuck with it and persevered and he loves SM. I am open-minded for anyone from age 4 or 5 if they have interest and good parental support. I find young children so much fun!
Laurie Richards, Nebraska
Every child is different. Typically 7 is a good age, but some kids really are ready and raring to go at age 5. You don’t know until you start teaching them.