WHY MUSIC?

Using music to facilitate speech and language development isn't just fun - it's smart! Music offers outstanding opportunities for children to naturally learn to listen, pay attention and concentrate. These pre-linguistic skills serve as steps toward anticipating what comes next and following directions. In my own practice as a speech-language pathologist, I have found music to be a valuable tool for providing fun opportunities for repetition, turn taking, timing, vocal play and non-verbal responses.

The key to the success of a song promoting speech language development is to introduce songs that are linguistically at the child's level. Sing them slowly, yet with animation. Use familiar tunes and enjoy the music. You can make up songs about anything - brushing teeth, going potty, getting dressed, etc.

Music also serves as a great means of helping children transition from one activity to another. There's a reason preschool teachers tend to sing all the time - it makes for smoother transitions and it beats nagging!

So.....(tune: Row, Row, Row, Row your Boat)
Go, Go write your songs,
Sing them all the while.
You can make any task fun,
And share a lot of smiles!