Hidden Staff

So your student has learned finger numbers and how to play by number (or color). How do you transition them to playing on the staff? The staff can be daunting. All that ink on the page is intimidating and overwhelming. So start by introducing just part of the staff (treble clef, for example) with this fun game.

Supplies:

• White Poster board
• Black construction paper
• Print-out of a large treble clef
• Print-out of a treble staff as a reference

Lesson:

Cut the construction paper into 5 long pieces that fit across that each fit along the length of the poster board (I had to glue two strips together to fit). Cut out the large treble clef. "Hide" these 6 items around the room (I taped them on the wall).

After showing your student the smaller staff and explaining that there are 5 lines and that the funny, squiggly thing is called a treble clef. Then have them find the lines and treble clef. They need to build the staff on to the poster board.

This lesson usually only takes 5-10 minutes, so be sure to use this as just an introduction to the staff. Stay tuned for next week's game of introducing notes on a staff.

Balloon Fingers

One of the most basic lessons in piano is numbering fingers. For older kids, numbering fingers can take all of 5 minutes to understand. But for preschool-aged students, it can take a while to understand what the finger numbers mean. So instead of reteaching this concept for the first 10 minutes every lesson for a few weeks, use this game to help solidify the finger numbers.

Supplies:

• 5 balloons
• A marker
• A basket (i.e. laundry basket, etc.)

Lesson:

Blow up the balloons and number them 1-5 with the marker. Have the balloons spread throughout the room before your student arrives. (You can hide them to whatever degree your student has the ability to find them).

After teaching your student the finger numbers, explain that you're going to play a game. Have them find the balloons (one at a time) and tell you the corresponding finger. Then they get to try to make a basket with the balloon. If you want to change the lesson up halfway through, point to a finger and have them find the corresponding balloon. And then have them make a basket.

Have you tried this? Let us know how it went in the comments below!