Here is a good article in support of developing the musical ear before proceeding to the notation, as is done in the Suzuki approach. I wonder if the author is correct in the assumption that the focus on reading music - without assuring that the necessary prior experience and understanding had been provided for - came largely from a combination of undertrained teachers, and the proliferation of music exams and assessment models? That seems like a pointed attack! Nevertheless, the author does not neglect to mention that folk music and jazz have been taught this way throughout their histories, and it is only in classical music where a different approach has become the norm... this is one of my favourite arguments in favour of the "note versus rote" approach (see Edward Kreitman's "Teaching From the Balance Point").
Worth the read for parents who want to understand more about what is different with the Suzuki approach!
http://pianodao.com/2015/10/17/sound-before-symbol-lessons-from-history/