The “Step one in Leteracy through Music Sounds2ReadTM ” Learning Program:Sounds2Read:
The Sounds2ReadTM method is applied in Israel in over ten groups of children attending kindergarten, as an annual musical enrichment program preparing the children for first reading.
The Sounds2ReadTM Fundamentals:
- The Teacher– personal attention is given to each and every child, in small learning groups, by a qualified
music teacher who has passed special training in the Sounds2ReadTM Method and its teaching strategies.
• The book – a weekly practice with “House of Sounds” TM an especially designed/formatted booklet that
accompanies the child throughout the program. With this booklet the child reads and writes musical notes,
plays tunes/songs, and glues prizes which she/he has won in accordance with her/his level of progress.
The child relates to the booklet as a tool from which she/he derives great pleasure.
• The musical instrument – through playing the instrument (xylophone and electronic organ), the child
brings into practice her/his ability to read notes, which she/he acquired during the Sounds2ReadTM program.
The Child expresses her/himself and instantly enjoys the outcome of her/his learning and progress.
Playing the instrument is a creative way of learning that builds the child’s self-confidence and self-esteem,
both of which are highly important for inducing the child’s motivation for learning and for reading.
• The Computer Game – “House of Sounds2ReadTM(developed by Amihud Carmon, 2005), the computer game the children play individually (i.e., every child on a separate computer), utilizes the computer’s multimedia features for the purpose of combining learning with enjoyment. Sight, hearing, and touch (playing the instrument) are those senses which, together with the computer’s immediate feedback, make a
multi-sensory experience that increases the child’s motivation to keep on making an effort and study.
When the child receives a virtual prize on the computer, she/he gets a colorful sticker of that prize – which
she/he then glues in her/his booklet, and this is repeated until all tasks are finished.
These fundamentals, in addition to the small learning groups, the learning strategies, and the very use of
music in the Sounds2ReadTM method – help the child reach a high readiness level for reading in kindergarten
And first grade. A child who has attended the T.M.NTM enrichment program will acquire reading in a much
easier and friendlier fashion than his/her peers, and reading difficulties which often arise shall be spared. A
book about this method is now in preparation.
Implementaion Methods:
The method can also be implemented in various other ways, some of which are already developed and applied in Israel:
Sounds2ReadTM Eduware – “House of SoundsTM” is an interactive computer game that enables to learn the
Sounds2ReadTM method individually, in accordance with the child’s personal pace, while playing a variety of
songs, practice games, and accumulating prizes.
Sounds2ReadTM Toy Kit – Including a board and card game, a xylophone, and a game book with tunes that enables pla Sounds2ReadTM ying individually or by pairs.
Sounds2ReadTM Internet game – This is a learn-and-practice Sounds2ReadTM game that enables the child
to write musical notes and tunes and then play them.
Sounds2ReadTM Electronic organ – A five octave musical keyboard which enables to play and practice
according to an accompanying music book.
Sounds2ReadTM computer keyboard and software – A unique P.C compatible keyboard that allows playing
tunes and games using a Sounds2ReadTM oriented software.
Sounds2ReadTM school – Enrichment programs which include frontal teaching by a teacher in small groups,
Together with the usage of a computer game.
Sounds2ReadTM Television game/program – An innovative concept for teaching children to play music,
using an array of lessons and televised games which accompany an illustrated frame story.