DD6 started the school year off in kindergarten where her school starts the kids on foam violins. They progress to real violins in about November, but do not start bowing until January or so. Well, in January, DD moved up to 1st grade full time, and these kids have been playing violins for about over a year. Her teacher suggested she come to some morning help sessions to catch her up. Well, not only did she catch up, but she is zooming ahead! To the point where in the spring concert last week she was the only 1st grader to play with the older students on the harder pieces! (The older students take group lessons after or before school, but do not have violin as a class and they have all been playing for 2+ years)
Her teacher is amazed at how quickly she has picked it up and how good her ear is for it.