Bhopal, May 8: Most young children are naturally enthusiastic about music. And whether or not they continue to play musical instruments into adulthood, love of music is a gift that will continue to enrich them all their lives.

Music educators say the best way to impart this gift is by making music a part of young children's experience from their earliest days.

Carrying a tune: You don't have to be Subbulakshmi to croon a lullaby or play a bouncing game with your baby. Toddlers love playing rhythmical clapping games or doing musical finger-play activities. And all youngsters can experiment with inexpensive rhythm instruments, such as shakers, castanets, tambourines, clappers, bells or toy drums.

Unfortunately, few schools offer more than the most rudimentary instruction in music. If your child shows natural ability or keen musical interest, your only option is private lessons. To find out if your child has talent, make him repeat a film song or a TV commercial jingle. If he can carry the tune correctly that's good indicator of his capabilities. His sense of rhythm is another. Does he naturally dance in time to music? And if you drum a rhythm on the table, can he repeat it?

Finding a competent teacher for private lessons isn't always easy. While teachers of westerns music generally have a diploma from a foreign institution such a London's Trinity College of Music or the Royal Schools of Music, not many have official credentials.

Let your child choose an instrument he or she likes. Parents shouldn't be allowed to decide. Otherwise, the child, no matter how talented, may develop an aversion for music.

What's your budget? It's important, too, to wait until your child is physically and mentally ready for the discipline of formal lessons. The right age is often later than you may think. Since Indian Classical music can be rigorous, it's better to wait until the child is at least eight.

The same holds true for western classical music. Children should be able to read, write and do simple maths before they start formal lessons.....

The costs? They vary. An hour-and-half of private lessons cost around Rs.750. as for the instruments, you can pay as little as Rs.50 for a wooden flute, Rs.4500 for a harmonium, Rs.3500 for a sitar. A guitar could cost Rs.1750, and a violin Rs.2500. The cost of a good piano - pianos aren't made in India - ranges between Rs.92500 and Rs.1,14,000. Keyboards are available around Rs.1650.

If private lessons aren't in your budget, consider group lessons, which cost Rs.450 a month. Group lessons give children the opportunity to practice with others, experiment with different repertoires and decide how committed they are to a particular instrument.

Don't push. Finally, there's that most important question: How do you keep your child motivated to practice? Some children take to lessons quite naturally.

Thirteen-year old Aditya Sharma has practised the table for at least seven years without any prodding. 'I love the tabla', he says. 'I'm not going to become a professional musician but it will always be a part of my life.'

Of course, it's not wise to push music lessons and practice to the point where you and your child are screaming at each other. If it's a constant struggle, there's no point continuing music. Music should be a joy, not a burden. After all, your goal is to give children the gift of music in whatever way they can best enjoy it, to be cherished for the rest of their lives.