Music classes for 3-year-old children: how they are and what to expect
At 3 you can start music, as long as the class's short, with a lot of play and an adult close by. We tell you how a session and what to expect.
Yes: at 3 years old a child can take music classes as long as they are of musical initiation and not of an instrument "serious." A good class at this age lasts about 30 minutes, changes activity every few minutes and relies on songs, movement, play and simple percussion tools.
What you have to have to do isn't have me play a complete song at the piano or read notes. What you can have to do with a child who sings at home what she's learned and moves with his rhythm and looks forward to at his class day.
To sum up
- At 3 years old, the ideal class is of musical initiation: play, singing, movement and minor percussion.
- A session usually lasts about 30 minutes with activities from 5 to 8 minutes each.
- It's normal for you to get distracted, to lay on the floor or to just watch: you're also learning.
- The adult goes with and plays, but doesn't fix and respond for his child.
- The advances are noted at home: He sings his songs, wants his games and moves with his music.
What a 3-year-old can learn in a music class
At 3 years old, music training goes through body and play. With a class a week and music that sounds at home, a child this age works things as:
- To move with music: to walk, to leap, to balance and, little by little, to get close to the pulse.
- Traits: strong and soft, fast and slow, sharp and serious, sound and silence.
- Singing song fragments and repeat short phrases in echo games.
- To stop and start in time, an exercise of listening and autocontrol that at this age is quite an accomplishment.
- Explore maracas, keys, paddleboards, rascals or a small drum.
- To wait his turn and share tools, if class's as a group.
That's after and better if this base's well built and we explain it to you at [what's musical initiation?]](/blog/que-es-la-iniciacion-musical).
What's a class about? Moment by Moment
Each teacher has his or her style but a 30-minute class for a 3-year-old child could be organized as follows:
| Momento | Expand time. | What's up? |
|---|---|---|
| I say hi. | 3 min | The same welcome song every week with the name of the child. It gives him security and sets his start. |
| Movimiento | 6 to 8 min | Walk, leap or fly as a bird as music changes and get frozen while stopping. |
| Songs with gestures | 5 to 7 min | Rounds and songs with actions and echo games with what teacher sings again. |
| Instruments | 6 to 8 min | To play strong and soft, fast and slow and to imitate with the maracas what the teacher does. |
| I count or listen | 4 to 5 min | A short tale in which every character has a sound, or a fragment of music to listen and move. |
| Despedida | 2 to 3 min | A closing song, always the same, to save the instruments and say good-bye. |
Take a look at two details: repetition (greeting and farewell do not change) and quick changes of activity. A good faith arrives with a plan but also with alternatives if the child needs more movement or more calm that day.
Attention and duration: what's normal at this age
At 3 years care at the same activity is short and that's not a problem with class and child: it's age. That's why sessions don't usually go from 30 to 40 minutes and each game lasts a few minutes.
These situations are normal and do not mean that class isn't working:
- He looks at his face without participation during several classes. Many children first watch and later participate and sometimes repeat at home what they did not face with his teacher.
- He's lying on the floor or you're gonna get a toy in the middle of his activity.
- He wants the same song again and again.
- One day she's very participatory and the next she wants to do nothing.
It helps a great deal to choose how best to have a date: that doesn't coincide with a nap, that doesn't get hungry and that isn't at the end of a day full of activities. One class a week, sustained in time, yields more than several classes followed for a month.
The role of Dad and Mom during class
With 3-year-old children, an adult will be present especially in the first few weeks and virtual classes. Your role isn't as a spectator or as an assistant to his or her teacher: his or her playmate.
| Ayuda | It doesn't help that much. |
|---|---|
| To play and to play, even if you feel bad about it. | To look at his phone or to get and get out of his room. |
| Let the child answer, even if they are wrong. | Answer for him or correct him at every activity. |
| To wait with peace if today you just have to watch. | Insist him with "Do it, do it as teacher." |
| Tell the teacher what his best at home and what songs he wants. | Compare their participation with that of other children or siblings. |
After class comes most important: during the week, sing class songs in the car or bathroom, repeat the games and ask them to teach you what they did. That's all "practice" they need at this age.
A class at home or a virtual at 3?
At this age the face class usually works better: teacher brings tools, reads the child's body language, sits with him and fixes his play at once. Home classes have an advantage: the child learns in an area that he or she already knows and where he or she feels secure.
The virtual class is also possible with some conditions: a very present adult, a camera located so that the whole body child can be seen, tools by hand before starting and sessions a little shorter. If you are deciding, this comparison [home or virtual classes]](/blog/clases-de-musica-a-domicilio-o-virtuales) He can help you.
Another best-performing option is a small group with brothers, cousins or neighbours of similar ages: motiva group play and children are imitated with each other.
How to Know If The Class Is Serving Him
At 3 years old, the advance isn't measured with a touch of songs and these are the signs that are worth watching after a few weeks:
- He sings at home, his own, songs or fragments of his class.
- Ask about his teacher or get excited about his class day.
- Replay with your toys or with tools.
- It moves with more intention when music sounds and reacts to changes of velocity or volume.
- He's a little more involved every week, even at his best.
If after several weeks she mourns before each class or she completely refuses, do not force her: check with teacher the time, duration or format. Sometimes a small change resolves. If you are still looking for teacher of [musical initiation]](/clases/iniciacion-musical)and [Teachers Directory]](/profes) of A medio tono you can look at the profiles and choose with peace.
Frequently asked questions
Can a 3-year-old start piano or violin?
Some approaches, such as those of Suzuki, start the violin very early with a lot of play and a family very involved. Nevertheless, most 3-year-old children feel better about their musical initiation and passing an instrument gets more comfortable about 4 or 5 years old. We have them at [4 and 5 year old children's music classes]](/blog/clases-de-musica-para-ninos-de-4-y-5-anos).
What do I do if my son doesn't want to participate in class?
Give him time: at this age to watch as well is to participate. Keep calm, play so that he sees his fun and talk with his teacher. He can adapt his activities to what best gets his attention.
How many classes a week are recommended at 3?
A weekly class is good enough for most children as long as music remains at home throughout the week. More than frequency, constancy matters and class falls at a good time of day.
What do I have at home for class?
A clear space to move and sit on the ground, and some small percussion tools, such as maracas or a panda. The teacher guides you about what to get and some can be done at home with simple materials.