The philosophy of Talent Education was developed by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki in Japan in the 1940’s. This method, which today has become an international movement, is based on respect for the child. Dr. Suzuki said, “Talent is not inherited and the potential of every child is unlimited.” All children are respected as unique human beings, capable of developing their musical abilities to the same level as their linguistic abilities and other abilities.

Dr. Suzuki noted that children all over the world learn to speak their mother tongue with ease, no matter how complicated the language might be. They learn to speak by listening, primarily to their parents and other caregivers, and then by imitating. If a child’s efforts to speak and increase their vocabulary are met with praise and positive reinforcement, the learning process is facilitated. Thus, very young children can acquire huge vocabularies seemingly without effort.

Dr. Suzuki believed that the same steps involved in language learning could be applied to the learning of music:

• Daily listening followed by imitation;
• Constant repetition;
• Praise and encouragement;
• Positive learning environments (at home and in the classroom); and
• Peer involvement (group classes).