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Hi, Parents of 4-year-olds!


If your child is 4 years old or will be before August 1st, they are old enough to begin the amazing Let’s Play Music program, which makes learning piano fun! If your child is already 5 years old, then they are definitely ready. You may be wondering whether to enroll in Sound Beginnings or Let’s Play Music, since I accept 4-year-olds in both programs.


Here are some things to keep in mind:


1. Whichever program you choose, all music exposure and participation in any way is beneficial and will help develop inner musicianship, so you can’t go wrong.


2. Finger Dexterity: Can your child hold a pencil correctly,  “3” on their fingers the right way, and write their name? If yes, their fingers are ready. In the 2nd Year of Let’s Play Music, the children will begin playing the keyboard/piano in class and at home. With consistent practice, I’ve seen even the smallest students be able to develop quite amazingly at the piano.


3. Class length: Let’s Play Music is 45 minutes and Sound Beginnings is 30 minutes.


4. Parent Attendance: In Let’s Play Music a parent/caregiver attends every other week. In Sound Beginnings a parent/caregiver attends every week.


5. Parent Involvement: In addition to attending class, participating with your child, and listening to the digital music tracks together, both programs have activities to do with your child at home to enhance learning. In Sound Beginnings these activities are optional. In Let’s Play Music, at-home activities and practicing are required for success. 1st Year students practice the tone bells at least once a week and complete a simple theory assignment. By the end of Let’s Play Music, students will be practicing the piano 15-20 minutes per day. Don’t worry, we work up to this very gradually! Younger students tend to need more committed parents and may need their parent to sit with them at practice sessions several times a week.


6. Tuition: 1st Year Let’s Play Music tuition is $280 per semester. Sound Beginnings is $200 per semester. Siblings may attend Sound Beginnings classes for only an additional $100 per semester. In Let's Play Music, siblings must be the right age for the class and must pay full tuition. I cannot offer family-rate pricing for Let's Play Music classes.


7. Commitment: In LPM, it is anticipated your child will remain enrolled in the studio throughout the full three years of Let's Play Music. Sound Beginnings is a commitment for one semester only.


8. Student Age: If your child turns 4 in June, July or August of this year, I would lean towards recommending Sound Beginnings for another year. There are actually some parents who prefer to start their children at age 5 in LPM because they will be able to play at a higher level more easily by the time they complete the program. However, maybe your goal is for your child to gain musicality and an excellent foundation before moving on to other instruments or to a favorite private piano teacher. Either way is great! The first year of LPM is designed for 4, 5 AND 6 year-olds!


9. Kindergarten readiness: I like for my 2nd year Let's play Music Students to be in Kindergarten, 1st, or 2nd grade. So, if you are planning on waiting a year to enroll your child in school, I would also recommend you wait a year to enroll your child in Let's Play Music. Students need to be in 1st-3rd grade when they graduate the three year program. 


10. You know your child best, so if you think he or she would have a hard time in a more mature class where parents attend only half of the time, then by all means, enroll in Sound Beginnings for another year! If your child is excited about playing the piano and learning at a higher level, then Let’s Play Music may be the best choice. 


I hope this has been helpful. If you still have questions about your individual child, please let me know. I'm so excited to continue to teach your child music, whichever program you choose! I truly love all my students, and I appreciate your trust in me to teach them.