When can I start teaching my baby piano?

[supernanny.co.uk blogger]

I am a new mother of a seven-month-old baby and would love to teach him the piano. What do you think would be a good age to start? So far he has been fascinated to watch me play with him sitting on my knee and has enjoyed bashing the keys himself

[Gill the Piano]

Just keep playing with him sitting on your lap and explore the various sounds with him - the monsters/elephants in the bass, the fairies in the treble, etc.. Or one customer I know does the Three Bears with daddy in the bass, mummy in the middle and baby at the top! Basically, if he wants to play you won't be able to keep him off it - and if he doesn't you'll need tranquiliser darts and a net to get him near it if you try and force the issue. Just let it happen naturally! Most teachers don't like teaching kids till they're seven, but the odd enlightened one will take them younger if they are genuinely interested, not just because parents want them to play. If you can find a Suzuki method teacher, then their attitude is the younger the better. There are musical playgroups around now, like Bo Jingles and another one I can't remember the name of, and these encourage musicality (teaching rhythm by clapping, becoming familiar with notation by colouring in big minims, etc.). I have spoken to no end of people who were put off the piano for life because they were forced to learn, so tread carefully. Small kids have the concentration span of a gnat on acid anyway, so an idea would be for you to have piano lessons at home, and let the teacher have 5 minutes with your boy to start with, slowly building as - and if - his interest deepens. But we're talking at least three years ahead for that, possibly more. For the moment I'd say unrestricted access and fun and storytelling at the piano, and follow your nose! You'll be able to judge his interest/ability better than anyone else.

[supernanny.co.uk blogger]

Thanks Gill - The monsters and fairies is a great idea - more inspiring for a baby than chopsticks I imagine!