Developing your child's musical abilities through early learning musical training

Early learning musical training is one of the best ways to introduce your child to music, even from a very early age. It is never early enough to start, according to many specialists in child development, and here is the steps you can follow!

1. Before the birth and during the firsts months - Encourage listening

Even before their birth, do not hesitate to already subject your child to the joy of listening to musique, whether it's your favourite pieces or new ones you will discover. Babies, even still in the womb or during their first years of life, are extremely receptive to sounds surrounding them and should take advantage of that to familiarize them with classical, baroque, romantic, jazz or even pop music.

2. From 3 months to 5 years old - Prioritize discovery

From 3 months old, your child is discovering the world around him or her. Use simple rattles or toys in the shape of instruments, to accelerate the cognitive and motor skills development of your child.

Some of our favourite instrument toys :

• Rattle Halilit (3 months +) 
• Rain sticks Halilit (6 months +)  
• Bongo Baby Halilit (12 months +)  
• Wooden Maracas Halilit (3 years +)  
• Djembe for kids (5 years +)  
• Colourful carillon

Starting from two years old, you can already register your children for musical-awakening lessons with professionals or continue to educate them at home. The important word here is "discovery" and not "performance"! No need for you to possess a strong musical background to guide your children through this process. Let them explore without pressure and they will develop their interest!

You can also find professionals like the Coopérative des professeurs de musique de Montréal who offers online musical awakening lessons (2 to 5 years old). To follow along those classes, your child will need only for little instruments : Egg maracas (from $3,95), a triangle (from $4,95), a little drum (from $12,95) and little bells (starting at 4,95$).  

3. From 12 months old - Bring your kids at concerts!

Some ensemble like Laval Symphony Orchestra offer concerts to young music enthusiasts and their parents. Their series "Bébé Musique" offers you and your child a fantastic experience without any fear of bothering anyone.

Other ensembles like Duo Airs or Paramirabo also offer concerts adapted to kids. There are probably similar initiatives in your city!

4. From four years old - Start music lessons

From four or five years old, kids can start playing a "real" instrument like the violin, ukulele, percussions, piano or voice. However, they will need to wait to be about 7 years old to start a wind instrument, because children can hyperventilate the first times they try a wind instrument and they need to have a certain lung capacity.

For children of small stature or those who REALLY want to start before the age we recommend, there are some alternatives :

1. The cornet can replace the trumpet. They have the same fingering and the cornet is just a bit smaller and easier to hold.

2. The flute with a curved head joint can replace the regular flute. With this special head joint, the student will be able to reach the keys.

3. A regular sized guitar is available in various sizes, but you can also replace it by the guitalele and the ukulele.

4. Violins, cellos and almost all string instruments are available in smaller format.

5. Nuvo instruments are very similar to "real" wind instruments and are more adapted to young children.

Our advice for parents

1. Children aged 6 and younger who are starting a wind instrument should always play under the supervision of an adult.

2. You should consider renting an instrument before buying one, especially if you are on a tight budget! From 13$ per month, instrument rentals at Twigg Musique are affordable and flexible.