Hi Chris
I've been following a number of threads about various methods of teaching music with great interest. At 22 months, my DD is too young at the moment for the PW or any other method of teaching a musical instrument, but I am looking ahead and wondering at what point we might consider starting something like this.
I'm interested to hear how many of the successful students / customers you have had through the programme were very young children. By this I mean aged 2, 3 or 4 (and ideally I'd like info for each age group). At this age, they may be less able to concentrate to follow instructions or comply with the rules of a game unless they are really very simple with very limited possibilities for 'cheating'.
Are there any specific strategies or tips for the younger child? I know you mentioned that your software does all the work for the teacher, but it may be possible that an older child with a better conceptual idea of how to follow a computer game would be more able to take advantage of the learning within the software and that parents of younger children would need to be a lot more involved in supporting the child to keep them on track.
I am reposting an answer (modified for you) as this is a question we get quite a bit in this forum. The game can be played by anyone that knows their colors. As for your 22 month old, I would use "Free Play" mode where the hitting the keys generate the game objects, so no matter what they hit they are seeing results. It is also a great way to help teach them the colors, if they don't know them yet, but I have seen lots of 2 year-olds playing the game, and anything that gets them having fun on the piano at that age and getting to know the keyboard is great.
I found this video online, and though he is not using the correct fingerings yet (in the game and the videos when he is ready) you can see he "gets it" and is enjoying himself on his first song. What a great way to start your music studies.
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So, my opinion is that your child is probably ready or nearly ready to start, I believe their minds are growing so fast at this age that music can only help them and delight them. I personally love that age, their personality begins to emerge, they walk and talk, and now can begin to play music! You playing will stimulate them to want to join in, as the saying goes, "kids will do nothing you say, and everything you do".
Enjoy,
Thanks
Chris
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