Preschool Piano by Color

Do you have a piano or keyboard at home that your preschooler has started to take an interest in? Young kids love to experiment with sounds and make their own music! But, it can be a challenge to show them how to play a familiar tune, especially if you’ve never played the piano yourself. If your child isn’t ready for formal lessons, but you’d like some preschool piano tips to help you start showing them a few simple tunes, playing by color is a simple solution. 

Why play piano by color? 

Simplicity

Playing by color lets preschoolers enjoy making music and playing a familiar tune. It avoids a lot of preamble they may not yet be ready for.

Matching

Playing by color not just reinforces colors, but also matching similar colors and images.

Motor skills

Playing individual keys on a piano helps develop fine motor skills and coordination. It also lets kids play before they are developmentally ready to play with all five fingers on their hands.

Reading skills

Reading the music by colors teaches basic reading skills. Your child will practice following along on a page, as well as reading from right to left one line at a time.

You might also notice notes that move higher/lower and closer/farther apart. Even though you don’t have to discus this in depth, it can start to develop the association of high/low and long/short for late,r more formal, music reading.

Fun!

Preschoolers should be introduced to music in relaxed non-stressful ways. They often do especially with repetition of familiar songs and activities. Develop a joy in music and piano time together with them and you will build a strong foundation for later piano classes or just enjoyment of music!

How to use the preschool piano printables

• Download the free printable music sheets above
• Use the color-coded keyboard picture at the top of each page to mark the keys on your piano. You can place a crumpled piece of colored paper, a small colored toy or eraser, or a crayon on the appropriate keys.
• Sit your child at a height where they can reach the keys easily. Their arms should be about level with the keyboard when they reach to play – a preschooler will likely need to sit up on something to be higher.
• Encourage your child to make an ‘O’ with their thumb and either their pointer OR middle finger. This will give them stronger fingers to play with, and also help develop proper hand position for later piano lessons. 
• Say the colors out loud (and encourage your child to as well). Point to each colored circle on the page and say it aloud, while playing the appropriate key.
• Repeat this many times. Eventually, you can stop pointing and just say the colors.
• The final step is to sing along instead!
• Challenge: Try playing with the other hand too!

Conclusion

I hope these printable preschool piano songs give you joy and music to share with your little ones. Let me know how the songs go for you at home! Which one was your child’s favorite?