Tuesday, January 22, 2008

What's so funny about peace, love, and understanding?

"A study of 200 mothers and their infants has found that in the first two years of life, the most important factor in a child's development is not its mother's education or wealth, but how well she interprets her baby's moods."

Mind reading mums boost baby's development

Thursday, January 17, 2008

When a child speaks


Dr. Margaret Berrio
Cal Poly Lab Director in San Luis Obispo
PhD in Child Development, Masters in Early Childhood Music

“It’s been difficult to find something that all the children can do together. We have 39 children in our class, ages 2 ½ to 4 1/2. Ten of the children have special needs, mostly language problems.”

“We have one girl who is genetically unique. Her receptive language is age-appropriate, but she hasn’t been able to speak. She has begun speaking—and it’s been a very dramatic change in her—in the last six weeks since we started ABC Music & Me, and it couldn’t but help that it’s been part of the program. I think she likes it and that makes her want to sing.”

“It works because ABC Music & Me is developmentally appropriate for a wide range of children. There’s a same-ness to every lesson. You begin with the same song and you end with the same song and that gives structure and support to the children so they know what to expect. Music has an organizing effect on the brain when it’s presented the right way.

“The other reason it works is because the student-teachers in this class feel supported by the training DVDs in the Teacher’s Guides, and hey feel that what they’re being asked to do is doable, so they’re willing to put more time into because they’re very satisfied. And I think a lot of teachers felt they couldn’t do it because they’re not musical, but they can do it …. and they’re very happy about it.”

Tuesday, January 8, 2008