On the Early Stage of Teaching Music to Less Gifted Children

The present work covers the topic of the early stage of teaching less musically gifted children. The work is rooted in the principles of inclusiveness in music education and is based on an extensive pedagogical experience of the author throughout a prolonged teaching career in a music school for children. The success in teaching less musically gifted children depends critically on the choice of pedagogical approaches by the teacher, on the teacher’s attitude toward a child, and on creativity and flexibility adopted by the teacher. Several practical rules—based on the author’s teaching experience and on pedagogical literature—are described as guidance to teachers working with less musically gifted children. The connection between music education and overall child development is also discussed. Music education is a stimulating cognitive exercise which plays an important role in overall cognitive development of a child. Musical education can stimulate not only intellectual development, improve general educational performance, but also yield improved physical condition. Musical education, therefore, is closely connected to the most valuable aspects of life.