I always felt that you learn to deal with life while learning to play the piano. When you have a problem with a piano song, you practice, practice, practice, one note at a time. I think I learned to handle life's challenges the same, methodical way. It's a lesson I hope to pass on to my children.
So, when do you start? If you push them too young, they may resent taking the time away from free playtime and that may cause them to stay away from an instrument later in the life. I started my girls at first grade, even though I've always been told that kids shouldn't start until 3rd grade.
I found a great article on Pianoeducation.org, which helped guide me in a different direction. Dr. John Zeigler and Nancy Ostromencki suggest you should expose your child to music from day 1. Younger children can only sit and focus for 10-15 minutes and Dr. Zeigler says they need to be able to focus for that length of time before beginning official lessons. In general, they need to be old enough know the numbers 1-5 and the letters A-G. You should also know the parent will need to take a large role in lessons and practicing if your child is starting at a young age.
I frankly learned a lot from that article. I don't think I spend enough time with my second daughter; I expected her to be able to do too much on her own. I also have been making her practice for 20 minutes, when it seems 10-15 is all her age will allow.
Hopefully if we change things this year, they'll both stick with the instrument that I love so much!
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http://pianoeducation.org/pnotchld.html
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