Many of us have heard about the idea that music training or learning an instrument, can improve the academic performance of kids. But how is this so? Not sure if I can speak intelligently to this, but I just found a website that has the mother load of information supporting this undeniable link between the brain and music. http://www.amc-music.com/musicmaking/thebrain.htm
A ton of research proves that music does in fact make you more intelligent and improve brain functioning. Ok, so now what. Sign my kids up for piano lessons? I remember those from grade school and what I remember most was the feeling of dread and unhappiness while sitting at the piano. Then there was the extra bonus of required “practice time”, ho hum. This is not a realistic venture for my two boys. Why can’t someone invent a video game that teaches you how to play the piano while you are playing?
This is a fun alternative to traditional piano lessons! Seriously, this is a much more valuable investment for my kids. This is a totally expandable system that comes with a money back guarantee. Check it out at the Piano Wizard website and watch the video on this page to learn more.
I went looking for a tool to help my son “hear” the different sounds he makes when speaking. I suspected he had some sort of auditory processing problem because his speech was difficult to understand, but his hearing was tested and totally within the normal range. I was operating on a hunch, but thought perhaps hearing himself would give him the awareness to articulate more clearly. Little did I know that it helps in many more ways than just that. Having a better “signal-to-noise-ratio” (sound over all other background noise) can dramatically increase a child’s ability to read, process language, and focus. You can even strengthen the neural pathway which aids in permanent articulation rehabilitation. Be sure to watch the short video to the right about phonemic awareness. (video courtesy of www.whisperphones.com)
We started using the Whisper Phone Solo for just a few minutes a day when we were hanging out at home. My son liked the way it felt and being able to hear things differently. He was much more aware of how he sounded so he became less frustrated with others for not understanding him. I noticed that he attempted to explain things which he normally didn’t even try to do.
Now we put it on for his reading homework after school, which helps him make a better connection to the individual sounds that make up the words. His speech has improved which has allowed him to make friendships in his class. This has been the biggest quality of life change because he is much happier going to school now. It even helps him learn and remember new sight words because of the amplification. Might he still need a speech pathologist in the future? Perhaps, but for an $8 investment I couldn’t be any happier. It is low tech requiring no batteries and it is easy to clean. Check out their website for much more including research and other ways to use the whisper phone.
We first developed WhisperPhone to help children learn to read. Through hundreds of conversations with teachers, speech language pathologists, audiologists, parents, and adults, we’ve discovered WhisperPhone is helpful to many more areas and audiences—including adults.
This particular auditory intervention was created by Alex Doman. It is specially produced acoustic music with sound processing techniques on CD’s with headphones and iPod for bone conduction. The protocol is to listen 15-30 minutes – 5 days a week, for 10-20 weeks.
More specifically the music is “psychoacoustically modified classical music” designed to stimulate or exercise the different functions of the auditory processing system. It can address;
attention/concentration
speech and language communication
social skills and self-regulation (potty training)
sensory integration
physical balance and coordination
reading and memory
This program must be used under the guidance of a TLP provider which can be found at www.thelisteningprogram.com
At the sensory integration conference we learned about the different auditory interventions available today. One was called Therapeutic Listening®. This was developed by Sheila Frick, OTR and is based on the technology of Tomatis, Berard, Muellar and Steinbach. What it is, is scientifically altered CD’s one listens to, along with sensory integration treatment. The protocol is to listen for 30 minutes twice a day for 4 to 6 months. This treatment must be monitored by a trained therapist and can positively impact sensory modulation, attention, behavior, transitions, speech and language issues, sound sensitivity, and more. To learn more go to www.vitallinks.net
What is Therapeutic Listening?
Therapeutic Listening® is an evidence-backed protocol that combines a sound-based intervention with sensory integrative activities to create a comprehensive program that is effective for diverse populations with sensory challenges. Therapeutic Listening can impact sensory modulation, attention, behavior, postural organization, and speech and language difficulties. Trained therapists learn to use modulated CDs to set up programs for clients in homes, schools and clinics. Listening is a function of the entire brain; when we listen, we listen with the whole body.
I recently attended a conference on Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, and Sensory Disorder in Honolulu. It was put on by Future Horizons and the presenter’s were Carol Kranowitz, M.A. (author of The Out-of-Sync Child) and Kathleen Morris, MS, CCC-SLP.
It was an extremely well put on event with a TON of useful information. Both of these women are very well known in their fields and really know their stuff. I learned so much that I will have to share about what I learned in a series of posts.
One thing that Kathleen Morris spoke to us about was the impact of technology on children. What she shared was very powerful and has changed the way I look at the world for good. To get a taste of what she spoke about please read this article written by Cris Rowan, OTR, which was featured in Kathleen’s magazine, S.I. Focus – dedicated to improving sensory integration.
I found this game while searching for a fun way to learn sight words. Sight words are words that can’t be “sounded out” using phonics rules. They are high frequency words and need to be basically memorized so that the reader can recognize the word automatically. There are tons of places to find the most [...]
My little guy has very delayed fine motor. Briscoe started junior K this year and at the beginning of the year he couldn’t even grasp a writing tool. (pencil, crayon, marker etc.) I had made these items available to him around the house but he was not interested. Holding and cutting with a pair of [...]
Now we put it on for his reading homework after school, which helps him make a better connection to the individual sounds that make up the words. His speech has improved which has allowed him to make friendships in his class. This has been the biggest quality of life change because he is much happier going to school now. It even helps him learn and remember new sight words because of the amplification. Might he still need a speech pathologist in the future? Perhaps, but for an $8 investment I couldn’t be any happier. It is low tech requiring no batteries and it is easy to clean. Check out their website for much more including research and other ways to use the whisper phone.
