As the owner of Fern’s Music / Fern Forest Enterprises, www.FernsMusicForKids.com, I have the privilege of doing many things including, teaching preschool music classes, teaching private piano lessons and performing full concerts for preschool children where I go onstage with my costume character friend, Charlie the Chipmunk. As a result I observe a lot of special moments in the lives of children.
The other day I was working with a 6-year-old who has only been taking piano lessons for 6 months. This little girl has the interesting & adorable habit of singing her responses to my questions. For example, if I ask her what the time signature of a song is, she will sing her response with “4-4 time signature” in her cute lilting voice.
We had just completed her lesson and she had learned a full-page song, using both the treble and bass clefs where she was using both of her hands at the same time. It was quite an accomplishment for her and she was very proud of herself. Suddenly she picked up her music book, lifted it high above her head, and sang out in her loudest voice, “I can’t believe I can do this! I am actually doing this!” She had a smile on her face that went from ear to ear, beaming with pride. It brought me such happiness to see the joy and sense of accomplishment in her face. I only wish I had a video camera at that moment so I could have recorded her reaction for her family to see!
Teaching a young child a skill that fills them with pride is a daily gift that fills my heart with joy. It is uplifting to the soul!