Anyone else teaching own DC an instrument?

[EvilTwins]

I'm after some advice really. DTDs are 6 and keen to learn the piano. I've bought a couple of books (and still have my 30-odd yr old books from when I was learning) and so far both are enjoying themselves (early days...) I have some questions though...

Is it a good idea to teach them myself? Or should I find a teacher? How "formal" should it be? I had formal lessons from age 6, but then neither of my parents play. What about practise? Should I make them do a certain amount of time every day, or just let them lead me for now?

I want them to learn, and want them to progress, but don't want to make it a big deal, IYSWIM.

TIA

Many music teachers find it hard to teach their own children for lots of reasons but only you can tell whether it is working for you or not.

It might be easier (but more expensive) at that stage to have a formal teacher but do practice with them.

It really helps to establish a routine straight away and do a little
(5-10 mins) at certain time of day every day. It also helps to explain at the beginning of each practice of what you want to achieve today, i.e. "lets see if you can play this bar without a mistake 3 times in a row" .
The length of practice will depends on your DC attention span so you will soon be able to tell whether 5 mins is enough for them or they can happily go for 20.
It also helps to make each practice a positive experience, i.e. try to end on an encouraging summary like - "well done, you really figured that out now" .

With twins it might help to do it separately one-to one without the other present, I would establish something like having turns : one is doing practice while another playing on a computer in another room and then they swap.

Thanks, that's really helpful. I've been doing separate sessions since day 1- they're competitive enough as it is! I think I might see how it goes over the holidays- I'm off with them as I'm a teacher, and then have a look for a teacher. Too many of the people who advertise where I am say things like "play recognisable tunes within 3 weeks" and the like, but I don't actually want that! I want them to learn properly, not be playing One Direction tunes by ear! They both play the recorder a bit too so are learning to read music. Any ideas on the best way to find a teacher? I'm guessing personal recommendation.

Yes, it's a tricky one. Recommendation is the best . Could try asking in a piano shops - they usually know local teachers well. Unfortunately really good teachers are always in high demand and have waiting lists. I noticed questions about recommending a teacher in particular areas are usually left un-answered. Good luck !

It may also depend on the child.I found one of my boys connect with me very well when we are learning something(not instrument, I don't play.), but another one listened to anybody else very well except me.
Why not try it, see what will happen ? It's free for you. Make it informal, from irregular to regular.

I am teaching DD (6) as well. I enjoyed piano alot more when I got the hang of it might also have been something to do with changing teacher so I figured that at the outset I'd save myself the money and do it myself.

With DD what I am finding good is being able to subdivide what I might have done in one lesson across the week instead, so it is broken down into little bits. It also seems to make reinforcing things easier than I remember. my mother, who couldn't play properly, used to contradict the teacher and we argued all the time

DD is enjoying it, and sneaks off to play on her own, and asks for a daily 'lesson'. But all I really want is for her to enjoy music at this stage and hopefully get a little less tone deaf and be able to sing vaguely in tune

I teach DS1 and DS2. DS1 wants to plod along slowly, and practices end better if I interfere less. DS2 wants to race along and would go and practise on his own (all I need to say usually is STOP BANGING ON THE PIANO AND PLAY IT PROPERLY) and play transposes (which could be awful since he doesn't know about keys yet) and variations. Both do (or will do) other instruments with other teachers, but I think we'll do the piano on our own until we get sick of each other. We do "lessons" just before heading out to school most days. "Lessons" could be learning a new piece or anything that strike our fancy. We have a couple of beginner books and just go through them bit by bit. We also do Suzuki tunes which are much more advanced, but they are happy with the mix.