These we learn left-hand alone, listening either for the piece's unique melodic line, or expecting the altered chord structure. In everything taught, I try to lay the theoretical foundation upon which their further musical education is built. When they start doing theory and lab work dealing with primary triads and chord inversions, students will have real hands-on experience and familiarity with these elements because of our earlier efforts. I also prepare special training tapes that students use for listening, playing, and singing. It's also a known fact that people have different learning styles.
Some children are aural learners, while some are tactile, and others become great visual learners.
Not all children will develop equally certain specific skills. On a recent occasion when forty of my students played for an evaluator, he informed me that he'd never before heard such a large group of students who really listened and were able to control the sounds they were producing at the piano. While I appreciate the fact that the purchase of a good piano is no small investment, this question may reflect most on the parent's lack of confidence and commitment in making the decision to provide their child's music education. Developing musical talent, like any other educational endeavor, is a process which takes years to develop. Results are not always immediately apparent, but we firmly believe that the process is important, for it will allow our children to reap its benefits for years to come.