How to Structure
a 50-Minute
Ukulele Lesson for Kids
Teaching ukulele to children is a rewarding experience - but keeping young learners engaged, focused, and progressing requires thoughtful lesson structure.
A well-organized 50-minute lesson can balance play and discipline,
technique and creativity, all while making music fun.
Here’s a proven structure you can follow
to make the most of each session with your young ukulele students.
A well-organized 50-minute lesson can balance play and discipline,
technique and creativity, all while making music fun.
Here’s a proven structure you can follow
to make the most of each session with your young ukulele students.
1. Warm-Up (5–7 minutes)
Start with a short and engaging warm-up to get kids focused and ready to play. This can include:
Start with a short and engaging warm-up to get kids focused and ready to play. This can include:
- Simple finger exercises on open strings or fretted notes
- Rhythmic clapping games
- Singing a short call-and-response song while strumming open chords
2. Review of Previous Material (8–10 minutes)
Spend a few minutes revisiting what the student learned last time:
This boosts confidence and reinforces memory.
Spend a few minutes revisiting what the student learned last time:
- Chords or strumming patterns
- A short song or melody
- Basic music theory or note reading
This boosts confidence and reinforces memory.
3. New Concept or Skill (10–15 minutes)
Introduce one new element at a time. For example:
For younger kids, try teaching through visuals, movement, and storytelling. Make it relatable! For instance, you could say, “This chord shape looks like a little triangle," and "that one looks like a dinosaur," or "it's a castle from Frozen".
Introduce one new element at a time. For example:
- A new chord
- A new strumming pattern
- A new section of a familiar song
- A rhythm or melody reading activity
For younger kids, try teaching through visuals, movement, and storytelling. Make it relatable! For instance, you could say, “This chord shape looks like a little triangle," and "that one looks like a dinosaur," or "it's a castle from Frozen".
4. Song Practice or Application (10–12 minutes)
Now it's time to apply what they’ve learned in a musical context. This could be:
Now it's time to apply what they’ve learned in a musical context. This could be:
- Learning a new song
- Adding a new strumming pattern to a familiar tune
- Playing along with a backing track or recording
- Duet playing with the teacher
5. Creative Activity or Game (5–7 minutes)
Wrap up the lesson with a light, creative exercise or game:
Wrap up the lesson with a light, creative exercise or game:
- Musical freeze dance with ukuleles
- Rhythm or flashcard games
- Improvising simple rhythms on one chord
- Drawing chord shapes or writing their own lyrics
6. Cool Down and Wrap-Up (3–5 minutes)
End each lesson with a short review and preview:
End each lesson with a short review and preview:
- “What did we learn today?”
- “Can you show me your favorite part of the lesson?”
- “Next time, we’ll learn a song you can play for your family!”
Final Thoughts
Kids thrive when lessons are engaging, clear, and playful. A balanced structure like this provides both routine and variety, helping students build solid musical skills while staying excited about learning.
If you’re a parent or music educator looking for expert-led ukulele lessons for kids, I offer online classes that blend fun with real progress.
Kids thrive when lessons are engaging, clear, and playful. A balanced structure like this provides both routine and variety, helping students build solid musical skills while staying excited about learning.
If you’re a parent or music educator looking for expert-led ukulele lessons for kids, I offer online classes that blend fun with real progress.
Contact me here to learn more
or schedule a trial session!
Fill out the form below or email me at orenfingerstyle@gmail.com
With over 15 years of experience, I offer online guitar and ukulele lessons, lead in-person workshops, develop teaching curriculums, and create custom arrangements for students of all levels.