Well, we've started !
I had my software downloaded, keyboard connected and stickers placed on keyboard couple days ago. It gave me the chance to test the games , get familiar with functions, rules and controls.
Then I:
1. read here on forum all the info on getting started and
watched SM videos on youtube .Videos are VERY helpful
here is the link to SM playlist: "Free Piano lessons", it contains the most important videos on how to get started.
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA6DDE34B4DCA5317&feature=plcp
2. print out lesson plan for week 1 and read it through,
3. print out solfeggio flashcards,
downloaded sample of alphabet chant,
(2 last items can be found here:
softmozart.com/teaching/how-to-get-start...it-for-yourself.html ).
Yesterday I
introduced my DD to music note alphabet using flashcards and music chant. She loved both.
1st Activity:
I showed the cards one by one for her to get familiar with the names and symbols used. I was giving her cards one by one and she had to tell me the name of the card.
The funny moments: One time she called note Ti - "coffee" and i do not know why but with the mirrow symbol she assotiated " Is it me?" pointing at herself.
2nd Activity:
I placed one set of cards lined up (Do to Ti) and explained that they have to be in this order. Then I was giving out cards from the second set and she had to put the card on top of the same note in the lined- up set: from Do to Ti back and forward. She loved this activity.
So by the end of the evening she was familiar with the solfeggio symbols.
Last night we decided to put the keyboard under the Christmas Tree and slowly start the SM curriculum and activities including keyboard.
This morning my DD found the keyboard under the Christmass Tree and was very excited about it.
Now about excitement and distractions...

She is a toddler, so I had to do couples of changes due to her age and ability to concentrate.
I removed the stickers from the keyboard leaving only stickers on Middle Do to Ti. So we have only 7 stickers at the moment we will be adding stickers as we progress.
She loved the Guess Key Name game, and it was easier to play with only 7 marked keys.
Finger excercises also became easier to guide after removal of editional stickers and covering up tempting buttons on keyboard control.
So... All in all I am very pleased .
here are some videos of our learning fun :