So I guess I am going to teach him to read music

Micelle78

So DS (3.5yo speech delayed and hyperlexic) loves when my private violin students come over.  He watches them excitedly and really wants to see what they are doing.  Usually though, the two kids are at my mom's house so that they aren't pawing at the door while I teach a few lessons after work.

Today he was there while one of my students had her lesson.  He watched for a while and then started taking music books off the shelf.

"Ooooh!  Looky at this violin book.  Oh wow!  Looky all these notes! "

Then I heard him singing very quietly to himself "doo doo dooo daaaa daa" and he had his finger moving along and tracking.  I always said that I would not make my children play an instrument until they asked.  I have played my whole life and am a public school music teacher as well as teach lessons at my house.  I guess since he is speech delayed, this is as close to asking that he can do right now. 

I am going to start him in a beginning music reading book and give him a few "lessons" on how to read and see if he has any  interest.  Besides word reading (rote and decoding) for the past 9 months, he is also into naming car brands right now.  He yelled to a guy in the Target parking lot "Hey!  You have a red Toyota?  Its a red Toyota?"  The guy laughed pretty hard and fortunately played along and said "Yeah it is a Toyota"

So we shall see.  I will keep you guys posted.  Maybe this will be his "thing" like it was mine

Micelle78

You know at her age in my opinion its is more about instilling a love for music, much the way parents do with reading to their child.  As they get older, practicing is a necessary part, but also the ability to understand why they should practice and a desire also start to set in.  I would approach it as something to explore without pressure.  I adjust my expectations based on age and maturity of the student.  Some young ones WANT and can handle a more rigid practicing schedule.  Unfortunately some parents can also kill that desire quickly when they are too hard on them too young.

I would take your friend's advice and try to find places she can be exposed to performers as well as try things out on her own!

bumpuser511563

That is awesome! I was just thinking of showing my violin to ds on my way to work and maybe play him something. I also hope ds would love the game chess when he is a bit older so I can play him.

Micelle78

Sailor Saturn said:

That is awesome! I was just thinking of showing my violin to ds on my way to work and maybe play him something. I also hope ds would love the game chess when he is a bit older so I can play him.

So you are a violinist too?  That's cool

bumpuser511563

Micelle78 said:

Sailor Saturn said:

That is awesome! I was just thinking of showing my violin to ds on my way to work and maybe play him something. I also hope ds would love the game chess when he is a bit older so I can play him.

So you are a violinist too?  That's cool

Well I use to be. I played from 6th grade to freshmen in high school. Parts of sophomore year and parts of senior year in high school. I am so rusted and out of practice for over 14 years.

My poor violin is so out of tune and is just sitting in my downstairs closet and being insured with the rest of our belongings.

I think since DS is 5 he could be ready to see my violin.