At what age should piano lessons begin for a child?

I have a 2 year old that loves music. She is always singing, or dancing. She has toy musical instruments and a Schoenhut fancy baby grand with 30 keys. She is getting a miniature guitar for Christmas this year. I played music for her since before she was born and she finds it very soothing and entertaining. My question is. When can she actually start lessons. And what other types of things can I do with her in the mean time to encourage and foster her love of music? And prepare her for when she is old enough?
We live near a music school, Shenandoah University, that always has concerts and dance concerts going on. I plan to take her regularly when I feel she’s less antsy. Thanks! I dont know what the Suzuki method is, but I will look into it.

I’m a music teacher and a parent, and even though you can find people who say you can start piano at any age I would not let a child start until his or her hands were big enough to rest on five adjacent keys without straining. The risk of permanent hand injury is too great.

Look for a Dalcroze Eurythmics class. Those are classes for young children that focus on rhythmic movement and exploration. When my kids were little we listened to lots of music, sang along and danced or played drums along with it. She won’t be able to tell the difference between a toy instrument and a real one for a few years yet, so let her make music on the toys. When her attention span, fine motor control and hand strength get better it will be time to start lessons. For most kids that’s around 5 or 6. Some are ready at about 4.

Mano playing on his schoenhut piano

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