2-year old E - SM and an active toddler!

NadiaD wrote: My DD removed the tiny stickers that I placed for her to have a little visual help, while playing chords... I let her practice without them, she was getting lost in keys, getting frustrated, and as a result did not wanted to continue the practice. I placed the stickers back, and right away she became more confident and happy while playing. The wil be time when all the stickers will be removed, but at the moment all I want for my DD is to have positive experience while learning the piano.

lzp11 wrote:

hellene wrote:

lzp11 wrote:
Is it ok to use two hands for chords (2 index fingers) to start with?

It is not just OK, it is very good. The motto of Soft Mozart is GRADUAL and naturl learning.

For instance, your power point files added to it big time and made it possible to teach even 17 months babies!

We know, what our goal is, right? So, building small steps to the goal is a very smart thing to do...

I also want you to take it easy, if your kid is not meeting 'requirements'. There are no requirements indeed - just one: we have to create the surrounding for our kids, where music making and music is 'cool and appreciated'. The rest will be taken care off, because the program works even between the sessions

Thank you Hellene - your words are very helpful and a good reminder. Building small steps is exactly what we need to do, and I think holding back on my own enthusiasm is important so I can focus on child-led learning at her pace rather than mine.

The additional stickers have already been picked off and are on the floor!

I've been thinking a lot over the past few weeks. We have really only had a few times where E would agree rather reluctantly to play gentle piano or guess key and she rapidly loses interest so it does not become a very positive experience. I'm not sure she is ready for the multi-sensory experience of playing these games - they seem to overwhelm her. She likes things that she can do quite easily or else she gets really stressed and frustrated so quickly.

I am considering stopping offering to play any of these games for a month or two. I would really appreciate Hellene's and other people's opinions on this. I don't want piano to become associated with something negative. I certainly will not give up forever and we can carry on watching the powerpoints, playing with the solfege cards / people etc. I'll also let E play herself on the keyboard, with the stickers on, as she likes doing this (and usually plays a scale from do to do and back again using one finger).

lzp11 wrote:

hellene wrote:

lzp11 wrote:
If you would not have this program and won't make such great progress with it, I would take another, a little more aggressive rout to create more excitement about music learning. But you are in perfect position: just keep learning your songs, share your enthusiasm. Cards, LR files - all of this is wonderful. Mind of a child is a 'fruit'. You can't say the fruit, when to be riped. We only have to passionately wait...

You are right Hellene and I feel better about relaxing and trying again with the computer and keyboard later and in a gentle way once she's more ready (it is called Gentle Piano!!)

Today we watched the Mi to Mi powerpoint and played with the Solfege children. E was able to lay out Re to Re and got nearly all of the order correct with only a few prompts. She had lots of fun playing "who is hiding in the bed". She had to run across a small obstacle course of cushions while I hid one of the children so we burned off energy and learned music at the same time

Seeing her having so much fun playing and learning music at the same time made me feel so happy it almost brought a tear to my eye!

I think following her lead and enthusiasm is the answer.

I also have an idea for another way to build on our existing learning in the meantime - will keep you posted....

LZP11, tear to my eyes... that is exactly what I feel watching toddlers doing something comprehensive, especially music!

I can't wait to hear your idea. I am receiving many calls and letters from the parents of young children and now feeling confident to send them here, on this forum, because I know: your ideas ARE really helpful.