Why Would Anyone Teach Preschool Piano?
In 2017 - my family moved to a new city. In those days, I didn't even THINK about teaching online. I told all my students (around 30 of them) to find another teacher.
I did some market research for my new city. Big BUMMER - I could tell the demographics were way different. Average income per household was waaaay lower. Scoping out some piano teachers and their pricing was very discouraging. You see, my husband had just taken a 30% pay cut. And I had just taken a 100% pay cut.
New plan: I would teach small groups in rotating lessons. My tuition was still higher, but I had longer lessons and fun technology. It took a while, but the after-school lesson slots began to fill up. I still needed more $$$. Until that time, I had only taught kids from around 7 and up. Occasionally, I took a 6 year old. You can see where I am going with this. If I could figure out a way to teach younger students during the DAY - that would help alot. I started teaching "Wunderkeys" - and I loved it.
I taught these kids - as young as 3 - in private lessons and small groups. I still love Wunderkeys. But for some kids, there is a problem.
Kids hands are small, and they don't have much dexterity.
This is not news to you. Wunderkeys does get kids to identify and move ALL their fingers with super cute characters and activities. But for some kids,
The progression goes from gradual, to TOO much
Some kids need time to adapt to how the fingers and hands move on the piano. There is nothing wrong with having them use a more sequenced approach with well-defined steps and milestones. For example, I have a student who just doesn't do well with fingers 4 and 5 (yet). She needs songs that use the strong fingers (2 and 3, maybe occasionally a 1) until she develops her fine motor skills.
Should she just WAIT for piano lessons? I say "NO!" There are many things she can learn. Training her ear, singing, moving, and learning musical concepts can prepare her. Developing her hand by working on fine motor skills can have positive benefits on her handwriting and other tasks.
I wrote a preschool book - here's why…
The student I just mentioned is my first grandchild, Anna (her mom doesn't like for her picture to be on the internet, otherwise I would BLAST you with how cute she is.) Anna lives in Africa.
She has trouble with fine motor skills, and a few other things. Anna inspired me to write a book that was attainable for all kids: young, special needs, or just developing.
"The Little Red Piano" is available as a paperback on Amazon, and on my website as a digital book.
If you would like to receive a sample chapter of this book, it’s easy! Just follow the link in the button below, and the sample will arrive in your inbox:)
If you are ready to order a copy for yourself as a teacher, there are two ways to do that:
1). Go to Amazon to get the paperback.
OR - if you prefer digital -
2). Go to my website to get a studio-licensed copy.
Can you let me know if you are interested in teaching preschoolers? Perhaps you already are working with this very fun group. Send an email to let me know how it’s going. Are you teaching privately, or in groups? Do your little ones come during the day - or after school? I’m so curious - and would love to offer whatever tips and tricks I have to help you out.
My email is: kay@pianomusicforkids.com.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
