early literacy development

Music Paves the Way to Literacy

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Listening to and identifying sounds is the earliest phonological awareness skill and one of the most important pre-literacy competencies. Without this skill, there will be no progress toward phonics, spelling, or text comprehension. How Children Become Phonologically Aware Children become phonologically aware in a specific developmental sequence, beginning with the larger sound units (e.g., tapping each word in a sentence), then focusing on parts
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Rhythmic Dictation and Early Literacy Skills

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Do you remember taking spelling tests as a child? Sitting at your desk, listening intently as your teacher said a word, and then trying to visualize what the word looked like while also attempting to write it on your paper or (gasp!) spell it out loud in front of the whole class? Ugh! For English speakers, that silent “e” caught many of us off
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Got Rhythm? Rhythm Skills Could Predict Reading Disabilities

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Do you know the old jazz standard by George and Ira Gerswin: “I’ve Got Music. I’ve Got Rhythm…Who could ask for anything more?” Well, apparently all that music and rhythm brings even more than a really good dance number by Gene Kelly. New research implies that young children’s rhythm abilities before they can read may eventually help doctors predict future reading disorders. An ongoing
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4 ways after-school programs help students who may be at risk

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For students who may be at risk, school can be a place to eat a warm meal, access and read books, and play safely outside with friends. When the bell rings at the end of the day, many underserved students leave the safety and structure of school for an environment less than ideal. However, quality after-school programs can provide many benefits for children, especially
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Music & Movement Benefits: Reading with Babies

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“You may have tangible wealth untold: caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.  Richer than I you can never be… I had a mother read to me.”  – Strickland Gillilan, The Reading Mother Reading aloud to a child is the most powerful way to prepare her for success in reading.  .  In her book, Reading Magic, author Mem Fox explains that “…the more language
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Professional development for teachers helps preschoolers, too

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Mary Kay Ash, the founder of Mary Kay, wrote: “If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can’t, you’re right.” Undoubtedly, she knew more about building a cosmetics business than early childhood education, but she understood the power of believing in your abilities. Now, early childhood research shows that when teachers believe in their abilities it impacts more than just
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Music & Movement Benefits: Rhymers Will Be Readers

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Today is World Poetry Day.  And while your child may not be up to appreciating Robert Frost or Elizabeth Barrett Browning just yet, he/she does benefit significantly by learning (and enjoying!) children’s rhymes and poems.  Why are rhyming songs and chants so vital to a young child’s development? Reading expert and author Mem Fox explains why: “The importance of getting rhymes and songs into
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The Picture-Reading Connection

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They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, but in ABC English & Me, Kindermusik International is using the research-proven technique of using a picture to help a child learn to read a word.  In fact, a recent study by Chinese researchers again confirmed the impact of a visual-rich context on literacy. Along with music, movement, and interactive @Home Materials, the ABC
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