Every child has their own internal speed limit for the piano. This is the pace at which they can comfortably learn the piano.
It is different for each child. Because one child learns Beethoven's Fur Elise in five minutes doesn't mean any other child will be able to do so as quickly.
A wise piano teacher is always testing their students, not for scales and abilities but for mood. It's more important to make the child comfortable than to rush into new ideas.
A child who is happy and comfortable at the piano is far more likely to eventually accomplish what the piano teacher wants. The trick is for the teacher to be patient and move slowly enough that the child does not feel overwhelmed.
Since the main object of piano lessons is usually to make the child read music, it is important for the teacher to have a strategy for achieving that.
Thus, in between reading music, a piano teacher should play fun piano games when the child becomes fatigued with reading music. In my experience, younger children get tired of reading music in about five minutes. If you exceed this limit, you will have a sluggish student, for the mental exertions required to read music deplete kids of their energy quite quickly.
Keep using this bait and switch scenario. Start with a little work, when it becomes drudgery, as evidenced by the child's mood, immediately switch to a light-hearted musical game.
When this game is finished, move back instantly to the problem that was exhausting them, and let them have another try. They will be refreshed and will make a little progress.
Don't forget: the speed limit for hard work at the piano is five minutes.
Exceed it and you will have an exhausted child.
Obey it and you will be able to string those five minute periods into a musical education.
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