Suzuki is really designed to start between ages 3-6. It starts off by teaching the child to play music first by ear and is designed to teach note reading at the same time children would be learning to read. (their philosophy is you talk first, then read=you play first, then play by notes). If the teacher teaches Suzuki correctly, you child should be listening to the Cd's for several months BEFORE they even have a music lesson. I love Suzuki, but since you child is 8 and probably reading, I would look for a less expensive teacher that teaches notes and playing together. You child has already missed the best age to start Suzuki and is at the "classical" method age of starting. How ever I would suggest that you find recording of the music your child is going to play and let them listen. It will help speed up the learning process. The Suzuki teacher will probably disagree with what I am saying because she doesn't want to lose a potential student. PS-I have a degree in music so I'm not coming by this second hand. My daughter and I have taken Suzuki.

Does anybody sell a pre-packaged curriculum that follows the 4 year rotation and uses WTM's book suggestions? The library where I live is very new and doesn't have many books. I will probably use Sonlight as my base if I can't find something pre-packaged, but I really want to do the 4 year rotation and own all the books with a schedule.