From age 4½

Teaching according to Suzuki philosophy is based on Dr Shin'ichi Suzuki's philosophy that all children can learn to play a musical instrument given the right environment. Children learn their mother tongue before they read or write, so they learn to play a musical instrument by listening and imitating. As with language, reading skills are introduced later.

The Suzuki Programme involves a 20 minute individual lesson each week and a fortnightly group and theory lesson for one hour (half-an-hour group playing and half-an-hour of theory games). Parent involvement is crucial to the success of the method. A parent is required to attend all lessons, practise with the child, supervise CD listening and attend related activities.

A parent only session, for parents of new students, is held on the first Saturday of term one. Children turning 5 before July and those who will be 6 between July and December in any year will be accepted. It is recommended that younger children attend the CSM Orff classes.

Recommended reading:

• The Suzuki Concept (Suzuki)
• Ability Development from Age Zero (Suzuki)
• Nurtured by Love (Suzuki)