I make the cards quite big, one reason why many young children may find reading music difficult can be because most music is written so small. Once the pupils can play a few notes and can read them, they are then able to learn both the theory and practical aspects simultaneously. Isolating the theory and practical in the initial stages has proved very successful for me. It allows the pupil to focus on fewer problems. It is important to accurately assess what the pupil can do and then to set an achievable goal.
Many teachers find themselves teaching groups of beginners.
It is very easy to work to the slowest pupil, keeping everyone else waiting. This can lead to boredom and behavioural problems. Equally, keeping pace with the fastest learner in the group can be discouraging to the majority, and ultimately can result in pupils giving up. The answer to this age old problem lies in the expertise of the teacher. It s a problem which is recognised throughout education.