h2Child's development as a result of music:

How does music affect learning?

The effect music has on cognitive faculties is widely known. Many studies prove to show the existence of a
brave connection between hearing and playing music, and literacy skills.
Humans perceive sounds and voices prenatally. The identification and recognition of various elements of
sound are developed naturally and in a fixed order.
Initially, a baby identifies timbre (e.g., his mother's voice) and various volumes (e.g., the baby cries after
hearing loud voice and is attentive to a silent voice). Later on, he or she recognizes different pitches
(enjoys tunes) and responds to rhythm with motor movements. The ability to observe and differentiate
between the consonants and vowels of the textual language is the final component of the child’s
development, at about the age of 5 to 6.
Another known influence that music has is on the capability of personal and emotional expression. First and
foremost, young children learn through their feelings and emotions. Music as an instrument of emotional
expression that is close to the child's heart, functions as a bridge between emotions and the development of
numerous learning skills.
Music effects and develops the child's social abilities as well. It develops auditory memory and listening
skills, and it enhances self-confidence and self-appreciation. Additionally, It enables co-operation in games,
music playing and group singing.
The combined influence of music on sociability, emotion and cognition, makes it a central agent
in the process of developing learning and social skills.

How are reading and music related?

Spoken language and the music language are both audible and have script: the alphabet and musical
notation. The music language, of which a child enjoys prenatally, is a rich language comprised of pitch,
duration (rhythm), speed, timbre, volume, texture and more. These musical components also exist in spoken
language, but in speaking, the focus of attention is the correct utterance of consonants and vowels, and
less attention is given to intonation and speech rhythm.
While in music the pitch and duration of the sounds are the main components, in the alphabet they are
absent. These components precisely, which are not represented within the script, assist in giving
the script its meaning. For example, it is more difficult to understand a robot speaking in a monotonic
pitch and rhythm, than a person who speaks with natural intonation and rhythm.
The alphabet and musical notation have additional resembling components, such as: specific direction,
reading succession, assembles signs into meaning, understanding and absorbing the alphabetical principle
and more.
In both languages, musical and textual, there is a need of integrating audio-visual abilities in order to
recognize the sound heard through the written text, to decode, read and comprehend. The ability to read
musical notes develops additional important reading components, such as: concentration, imagination,
creativity, and auditory memory in particular. A child with developed auditory memory is likely to
complement, from memory, the intonation and rhythm that are lacking from the written text, and to reach a
better understanding of the text.
The methodology and parameters examined:

The First StudyMethodology

150 kindergarten children were examined in the first study, in three different enrichment groups. The children
were examined using before-and-after intervention program tests, and were also given follow-up tests during
first grade. The tests were based on conventional reading measurements.
Two types of enrichment programs were compared with Sounds2ReadTM: conventional music oriented
programs ("Musikef" and "Kodaly"), and a non-musical program of spatial gymnastics and pet caring.

The parameters examined

The study measured the following: reading speed, auditory memory (auditory learning curve in the Rey
test), reading comprehension, phonological awareness, accuracy and fluency, readiness for learning (draw
a man test) etc.

Results

The study found, that learning the Sounds2ReadTM method as a first reading language helps children learn to
Read better than the other enrichment programs. Children who participated in the Sounds2ReadTM enrichment
program, achieved better results in all parameters measured. Sounds2ReadTM
Frequency asking questions (& Answers):

Is Sounds2ReadTM suitable for musical instruction?

Sounds2ReadTM method develops hearing skills, which particularly help in reading and greatly develop the child’s
musicality. The basis acquired is twofold: the skill to read a verbal language, and the skill to read the music
language.
Why should we begin early with Sounds2ReadTM? (Musical reason)
It is recommended to precede game-learning in Sounds2ReadTM not only because of the implications on the
Reading ability and easiness of learning text reading, because the print conceptualization develops the child's
musical ability. The more we delay the critical age, the musical education becomes harder. The more preceding
the musical education, the chance to develop absolute hearing rises
Why not begin with the learning of conventional notes? The conventional musical notation is composed of many signs and is difficult to learn. The Sounds2ReadTM
method is especially designed for young children in the sense that it is comprised of only a few signs and is
very easy and intuitive. The child quickly reaches achievements, which contribute to his self-confidence and
even to his motivation to continue and play music. The transition to conventional notes is as easy as the
transition from print to handwriting. Past experience shows, that children who have made that transition after
learning Sounds2ReadTM method, reached a higher level compared to children who begun learning music
with the conventional notes, and continued their musical education with higher motivation.
My child already knows the ABC – isn’t learning the Sounds2ReadTM method pointless?
There is no contradiction between the child's knowledge of the letters and his need of learning the
Sounds2ReadTM method. With Sounds2ReadTM you don’t learn consonants and vowels but rather develop
Other reading skills, through music. The child learns to read music notation specialized for children. He or she
Enjoys playing music while simultaneously developing reading skills.
Isn’t teaching Sounds2ReadTM in the first grade too late?
The general reading components are learned in kindergartens and first grade in an implicit and indirect
way, focusing on the technical learning of consonants and vowels. However, Explicit and direct
development of the general reading capabilities is suitable for the first and even second grade. Learning
Sounds2ReadTM allows the child to experience fluent reading while bypassing the technical obstacles of the
various signs.
Does Sounds2ReadTM contribute to the child socially?
With the Sounds2ReadTM method, new version of the computer game, playing can be done in whole classes
too not only in couples or in small groups, and it contributes to a fruitful cooperation between children of
different levels.
Might learning Sounds2ReadTM in the first grade, parallel to learning to read, confuse the child?
The Sounds2ReadTM musical notation system is designed specifically for young children and is comprised of
only a few signs. The child learns the method quickly, easily and intuitively. Not only does the method not
disturb the learning process in the kindergarten or in the classroom, but it assists the child without him or her
even being aware of the fact that this too is a learning process.
In what sense is Sounds2ReadTM special?
Sounds2ReadTM was scientifically established as a method that develops and improves reading skills without
the need to struggle with the technical learning of vowels and consonants, thus enabling the child get quick
results in a pleasurable manner.
Sounds2ReadTM is easy to learn and leads to quick success in reading notes, through games and playing
music.
Sounds2ReadTM makes the alphabet the second reading language and therefore easier to learn, as the child
already reached first reading Schemata in mind to overcome the difficulties of first reading. Now practicing
the Sounds2ReadTM method is easiest.
Sounds2ReadTM prevents reading difficulties from forming, by playing games and using the special musical
notes.
Sounds2ReadTM enables the child to learn at his or her own pace, pleasantly and without any pressure from the
surroundings. This brings achievements and creates self-confidence and a feeling of competence.
How can one know that learning the Sounds2ReadTM method helps improve reading skills?
A thorough doctorate research study that was performed, has examined the influence that the method has
on the reading level of first grade children. It was found, that the level of children who were tutored in the
Sounds2ReadTM method was significantly higher than that of children who took part in other enrichment
programs. Moreover, the results were found to be independent of any other approach for reading instruction.