When should my child begin music lessons?
What instrument should I get for my child?
What should I look for in a teacher?
What is better, private lessons or group lessons?

When should my child begin music lessons?

There is no research that suggests any age is better than any other. However recent research from University of California indicate that the positive effects of learning to play a musical instrument on cognition and brain development in children is most dramatic before the age of 12. The best time is when a child wants to learn. The Childbloom Program specializes in teaching children between the ages of 5 and 12.

What instrument should I get for my child?

To avoid injury and to develop the highest skill technique it is important to get a guitar that is child-sized. We recommend a small nylon-string guitar for the beginner's maximum success. Parents shouldn't scrimp on an instrument. The critical dimension is length, not width of the guitar. Here is a suggested size according to the general age of a child. The lengths given are sting lengths: Age 4 - 6: under 18" • Age 6 - 8: under 21" • Age 8 - 10: under 23" • Age 10 - 12: under 25". Some good brands are Strunal, Montana, Jasmine,and Esteve.

What should I look for in a teacher?

Teaching children music is a specialty. Any teacher of children who does not allow parental attendance should be avoided. Teachers should have experience and training with children. All Childbloom instructors have had in-class training, training in child-development, training in the natural use of the hands to avoid injury to the young musician.

What is better, private lessons or group lessons?

For children a one-on-one private lesson with a teacher is often stressful and inefficient. The small group lessons used in the Childbloom Program allow a child to learn ensemble musical skills as well as solo skills. There has been shown no discernible difference in learning pace between Childbloom classes and private lessons. However, the Childbloom lessons tend to be enjoyed more by the students who stick with the learning longer and develop to higher levels of skill than in the other formats. The Childbloom classes have been characterized by leading child and family psychologist, Dr. Harold Grotevant as "...a positive learning experience in a low-pressure environment."