[duckasorus]

We are wanting to start introducing DD to music other than seeing her dad play, playing with his instruments and listening..
What would you start on?
She can already hold a beat on her toddler drums and can follow instructions. We also want her to be able to read music.

Asking to much or good idea?

[bryce's-mummy]

Maraccas? Kiddy drums??

Seriously though- I think she's too young.

Take her to a Mainly Music session:
http://www.mainlymusic.org.au/

My DD loves these. Alternatively there's kindermusik.

Put pressure on her to 'learn' at her age and she may grow up to dislike music.

[littlepoppet]

I would probably get her into a program like mini maestros if you want her to be musically minded. I think 2 years ols is a bit young to be specific about an instrument. The mini maestros program is heaps of fun for children and includes instuments, singing and dancing. As the children progress through the program they learn to read music.

[bjk76]

Mum, who is a university-trained pre-school music teacher, recommends Mini Maestros:
From the website: http://www.minimaestros.com.au/program.php
"The Mini Maestros program has been developed over many years of trial and research. The music literacy component is based on Kodaly methodology and repertoire. The influences of the theories of Orff, Dalcroze and Suzuki are also evident. Much of the music is by local Australian composers featuring multi cultural influences."

22mo DS has just started going there and we enjoy it. At his age they are focussing on playing percussion instruments fast, slow, along to the beat and stopping when the music says. There is also singing and dancing.

[somila]

Group classes are the way to go at this age. It's great that she has a strong sense of beat - now she needs to discover rhythm and in-tune singing so that when she starts an instrument (when she is physically ready and can concentrate sufficiently) all the basics are in place.

Have fun!

[Elizabeth Swann]

My daughter had a music box with heaps of wooden instruments from the music shop for kids, she also had a drum, ukelele and xylophone that wouldn't fit in the music box.

At 2 she did Mainly Music and played around on her instruments. We are a band family, she regularly attended gigs of 2 of them. At 5 I bought her an acoustic half size guitar and just by playing around she learnt some tunes. At 6 she started lessons.

Now at nearly 10 she has her guitar still, the rest was stolen when we were recently robbed, my mum bought her an electric guitar, and I just bought a drum kit off sell swap buy on fb. She's learning guitar and plays really well, and just bashes on the drum kit.

Honestly, I would give a variety of instruments, take her to a music group where they use a lot of different ones and let her explore music in its entirity rather than getting her stuck on one particular instrument. I have every intention of, even now, replacing all her wooden instruments.

[SplashingRainbow...]

My 2 yo is doing kindermusik and loves it. He had a fabulous time , is definitely learning, and is being exposed to a huge number of instruments each week. We also have access to heaps of resources for things to do at home.

[Sassy Girl]

You really can't be serious .

At her age give her some spoons and some saucepans to bang on them with. She is far too young for an instrument. We all play instruments in our family and I grew up in a musical family but there is no way any of us would have been started that early. Eight years of age is generally we when we started.

[Guest_Dinah_Harris_*]

We do Do Re Mi music classes with both kids who are 4 and 1. They are also based on Kodaly.
I'd like Dd1 to start piano but that won't be until she is at least 6 or 7. Her teacher is adamant kids are too young before this age, and since she has a Masters degree in music, I trust what she says!

[yellowtulips74]

Both my kids started instruments at age 2. One cello, one violin.

If you're ready yourself, then go for it - the most difficult thing will be to find a teacher who is experienced in teaching 2 year olds. (Very rare!!) It's actually difficult to find a teacher who is even interested in teaching this age.

What state are you in? I might be able to help you find a teacher who knows what they're doing with this age group. Lessons and home activities need to be developmentally appropriate, and many teachers would try to teach a 2 year old in the same way as they teach a 4 year old (not gonna work).

Some points:
* It's great to start young - my kids don't ever remember a time they didn't play an instrument. It's part of who they are.
* Expectations need to be VERY realistic. Really short lessons, for instance (eg 5 minutes) and very small steps.
* It has to be really fun - lots of games, etc.
* Don't let anyone tell you that starting young is "pushing". That's rubbish. (However, it would be "pushing" if you had unrealistic expectations.)

Many teachers will tell you a child isn't ready till they are 7. This is true in one sense... children aren't cognitively ready to learn to READ MUSIC until they are 7. So if a teacher is planning to teach music reading from the beginning, then you have to wait till age 7.

On the other hand, if you delay music reading till later, there's no reason why a young child can't learn to play an instrument.

Good luck! It's a wonderful thing to do.