A study conducted at Concordia University (near Montreal in Canada), led by Professor Virginia Penhune has found that musicians who started before the age of seven showed heightened white matter in the brain (the nerve fibres which link the left and right areas of the brain). Hence the study showed that early music training can… Continue reading Early music training can boost the brain
Author: OldBear
Moray Childminders request information on Sounds and Symbols
Presentation to Moray Childminders in Elgin. Childminders were interested in how music can be used in settings with a small number of children to promote literacy. Many topics were discussed and examples given of activities to help with listening and speaking skills. Sequencing skills can be helped by musical activities and also musical stories help… Continue reading Moray Childminders request information on Sounds and Symbols
Sound Before Symbol is now available to purchase
Sound Before Symbol is now available to purchase. Just click on ‘Store’.
Music Lessons Early in Life Increase Brain Development
A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that music lessons before the age of seven had a significant impact upon brain development. More information click here
The first copy of Sound Before Symbol is in the UK
The first copy of ‘Sound Before Symbol‘ is in the UK. It has visited SAGE in London, myself in Scotland and is now in Yorkshire in the safe hands of my MUM!
Sounds and Symbols has arrived in Haiti
Sounds and Symbols has arrived in Haiti in the village of Campeche Dumay. Humpty, assisted by Jill Addison will be helping children to develop their language through music. Photos and video to follow!
Presentation to Adult Literacy tutors in Elgin.
Presentation to Adult Literacy tutors in Elgin – Adult Literacy through Music. Music can assist literacy development for all ages and stages. Music helps to embed information, it helps to consolidate memory, offers prompts to learn sequences and can be used to extend vocabulary and grammar comprehension. Everyone sang wholeheartedly – it was great fun! … Continue reading Presentation to Adult Literacy tutors in Elgin.
Harvard Business Review reports impact of music training on language
Harvard Business Review published an article entitled ‘A Little Music Training in Childhood Goes a Long Way’. It reports a study by Sylvain Moreno which showed in an increase in verbal-intelligence scores after learning about rhythm, pitch and melody for 20 days. For more on this click HERE
Nutcracker sweet: classical CD for every baby
Nutcracker sweet: classical CD for every baby was the headline in The Times today on page 8. This article by J Simpson describes a project funded by Creative Scotland which proposes to give free classical CDs to families with babies born over the next 12 months. This is in recognition of the significant value that… Continue reading Nutcracker sweet: classical CD for every baby
Results of phonics tests
The BBC News reported that fewer than six out of ten pupils in England passed the phonics screening tests conducted in June this year. The tests also showed that girls performed better than boys at using phonics to decode words. Click on the link below to view the report by Hannah Richardson http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-19742212 Phonics is… Continue reading Results of phonics tests