For son, I was going to have him wait until his fine motor skills improved, but it was the other-way-around -- piano helped. This was first grade. DD started in K.

Anonymous wrote:DD who’s turning 5 next month has been asking for piano lessons. We have been recommended a teacher who’s been teaching through Zoom. She seems to be an accomplished musician who plays various instruments and is also an art teacher.
Do we start via distant learning or is it better to wait snd start in person?

Starting now is fine. The key is finding a teacher comfortable teaching over zoom and understanding that you will have to be present during the lesson, correcting hand positions, rhythm, etc.

Zoom lessons actually force the parents of younger kids to be a lot more involved and invested in lesson, which is great imo.

And if it doesn't work you can always stop.

OL piano lessons were a bust for my 8yo. We won't pursue again until she can do in person.

Keep in mind that at ages 5 and 6, hand size, strength, and coordination are issues that you won't deal with as much at age 7 or 8. My daughter started right before her 10th birthday. She's done super well! She's still going strong a year and a half later and amazes me with her progress. She also practices... somewhat reluctantly, but she'll go through her assignments a couple times before breaking out her "Dear Evan Hansen" book. Her birthday is coming and she want to get an electronic keyboard stand as a gift. I'm going to get one of these items - https://pickmypiano.com/electronic-keyboard-stands/ .

No matter what you decide, keep in mind that natural aptitude and parental support are very helpful.

For young kids have never learned piano before in person would be the best. Our Suzuki teacher said once kids developed bad habit (like wrong posture) it’s hard to get it corrected and it may also cause injury. I agreed with that you would want a piano teacher whom knows one music instrument very well instead of knowing multiple music instruments. We knows a musician whom’s also an active performer had to give up the 2nd music instrument she loved when she was a kid so she could focus on only one. If you know something about piano you can start by teach note reading at home before you start in person lesson, if not it’s easier for adult to learn from YouTube or piano book or some music card then teach kids, they need to learn note reading sooner or later no matter which method you go with.

Wait til 6 when you can start in person.