Using Music to Help Children Build Language and Literacy Skills

Studies have shown that music helps students learn not only rhythm and motor skills, but importantly also language and literary skills.  One such study, by Professors Patricia Cullingham and Richard Allington in 2011, found that when we see or hear words in a new context, our brain creates new synapses (connections) to those words. Professors Cullingham and Allington advocate that children be exposed to vocabulary and other literacy skills in different and meaningful ways. Music has been a very effective tool in bringing meaning to new material including skills in literacy.  

How can parents use music to help their children with language and literacy skills? First, parents can use songbooks so that their children read the words and sing their favorite songs. Second, parents can sing songs with their children.  Visit this website for songs that build reading and language skills - CLICK HERE.

Third, take the words that are repeated in songs and read them in print.  Two books that can be used are Over the Rainbow and Puff the Magic Dragon, both beautifully illustrated by Eric Puybaret.  Fourth, encourage your children to take part in afterschool music ensembles that inspire creativity and involve expression through the arts.

Inspiring Family Reading

I have such fond memories of reading together as a family with my two sons and late husband.  As often as we could, we would huddle together on our bed and read a good book.  In the beginning, I would read out loud to everyone, but as the boys became better readers, they would read out loud to us.  How much time we spent reading together varied depending on our schedules and the type of book we were reading. 

    One of our most favorite books was the Hank the Cow Dog series by John Erickson.  We bought and read every single book in that series.  The series is about a dog named Hank and his sidekick Drover who lived on a ranch and had many funny adventures.  There were other characters who added exceptionally hilarious times, such as Pete the sly barn cat.  As we read, we would pause and laugh and then go back to reading.  We would stop reading whenever we wanted.  Sometimes, there would be an argument as to whether we should stop at a certain point or continue because of the suspense, but often, we read about a chapter a week.  We loved that series so much that we purchased and donated it to the library at my sons’ school.  

    I would like to inspire you to read as a family too.  The memories are precious and last a lifetime.  It is also a great bonding and teaching time for the kids. 

Author Soraya Diase Coffelt

 

Did You Know that You Could be Awesome and a Book Nut Too!

“Be awesome! Be a book nut!”
-Dr. Seuss

Being a book nut often has negative connotations.  It generally refers to someone who has his head buried in a book and could care less about what is going on around him.  In other words, a boring person.  Often, that person is called a book worm too.  Worms don’t have the best reputations in the world – they are slimy and slither all over the place.

Very rarely is a book nut also described as being someone who is awesome. The famous children’s author Dr. Seuss put them together and equated awesomeness with being a book nut.  How wonderful!

Think about it.  A book nut isn’t truly a boring person because a person who loves books can’t be a person who doesn’t care about his surroundings.  Quite the opposite - reading makes a person more in touch with his feelings and the feelings of those around him.  Someone who is considered “a nut” is someone who is zealous and a bit crazy about living and enjoying life. Nothing is slimy or slithery about him.  A large part of enjoying life is reading good books.  There is absolutely nothing boring about visiting the Himalayas on an adventure tonight in a book and then visiting New Guinea tomorrow night in a mystery “who done it” book.  I consider myself a book nut and an awesome one at that!

Author Soraya Diase Coffelt

Who Can Make Reading More Fun Than Grandparents?

Making reading fun and interesting takes special skills and who are best able to master those skills than grandparents.  They have the ability to bring stories to life.  What about silly voices? Grandparents can do that!  What about silly facial expressions? Grandparents can do that too.  What about encouraging children to interact with the stories – such as pointing at colors or pictures or predicting what might happen next?  Grandparents are experts at that as well.  What country did a grandparent originate from? Grandparents can teach about their birth countries. 

The love of reading begins when a child is very young.  The more encounters they have with books, the more they will enjoy reading.  Usually, grandparents have the time and the desire to spend quality moments with their grandchildren.   Parent should encourage their own parents to give their grandchildren the irreplaceable gifts of love, time, and creativity.  By doing so, parents will be encouraging the development of the love of reading in their little ones in the unique ways and with the special touches that only grandparents can provide.

Author Soraya Diase Coffelt

 

The Important Role that Grandparents Play in Emphasizing Reading

    Grandparents are such influential people in the lives of our children.  One very important influence should be in building reading skills and emphasizing reading.  According to the Children’s Reading Foundation, grandparents can spoil their grandchildren in good ways by giving them a reading-rich lifestyle.

Here are some suggestions from the Foundation as to what grandparents can do whether they live close by or not:

  • Sing songs, recite poetry and do finger plays to help develop language and listening skills.

  • Play word games and do puzzles together. These activities provide wonderful opportunities to build vocabulary.

  • Offer books or magazine subscriptions as gifts for birthdays and other special occasions.

  • Invite your grandchild to the bookstore or library for story hour. Don’t rush. Take time to browse the books and to cuddle together in the cozy chairs. Time is your gift to give. 

  • Let your grandchild see you reading and enjoying books. When you’re together, read aloud the words on signs, menus, and captions under an interesting photograph in a magazine or newspaper.

Author Soraya Diase Coffelt

When was the Last Time that You Read to a Child in Your Lap?

Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.
— Emilie Buchwald

           Reading time with children should always be a fun time for you and them.  Have you thought about it also being a time to show your child your love?  When was the last time that you put your child in your lap and actually read to him/her?  This quote from Emile Buchwald is very touching to me.  Generally, children learn the love of reading from their parents.  They observe their parents reading.  Their parents spend time reading to them.  But, actually taking your child and sitting your child on your lap to read is extremely loving and personal.  It is saying to your child “I love you so much that I want to share this special time and book with you and build a loving relationship while we do it.” 

          Twenty years from now – what do you want your child to remember of the childhood years?  A mom or dad who were too busy to sit down and read a book to and with them?  Or a mom and dad who intentionally set aside time for the child to make the child feel loved and important?  Create memories now and build a reader while you are doing it.

Author Soraya Diase Coffelt

 

Include Visiting a Library at Your Vacation Spot as Part of Your Family’s Travel Plans

    Have you ever thought of visiting a library at your vacation spot as part of your family’s travel plans?  I’m sure that, at first, this may sound strange or odd.  But, take a few minutes to think about it.

    Libraries all over the US are seeking ways to better serve the public.  Most of them have very active children’s sections with regular readings, puppet shows, children’s art displays, and computer activities all aimed at fostering a love of reading. 

    My parents retired to live in a senior citizen community just north of Orlando, Florida.  When we visited them, we, of course, included trips to the many theme parks in the area.  But, that wasn’t all – we also regularly visited the Orlando Public Library.  My sons had interesting adventures in the children’s section amongst the great books available! Their imagination was the limit!

    Search the internet about the library located at your vacation spot.  The website www.publiclibraries.com is helpful to find one with just one easy click.  On the website for the Orlando Public Library, I found some very interesting topics for adults and children: a class on learning how to pack healthy lunches for kids; a talk on family adventures by a travel author; “end of summer” events with costumes and prizes; and much more. 

Author Soraya Diase Coffelt

The Importance of Children Having Pets

Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.
— Groucho Marx

When my children were growing up, we usually had a dog and a cat for them to play with and take care of.  Research has shown that pets have an important role in the lives of children.  They teach compassion and love; responsibility; and companionship.  Often, they provide security to a child.  

It’s very important though to make sure that your family has the time and energy to take care of a pet, especially a dog.  If you get a puppy, understand that a lot of time will have to be invested training the puppy, especially if it is to be an indoors pet.

 One of my sisters recently bought a puppy at a fundraising auction for her children’s school.  Yes – the puppy looked oh so cute.  But, little did she know what they would have to endure as a family with a new puppy – constant yipping, going to the bathroom all over the house, barking at everyone, etc.  It is now almost 9 months since she purchased the puppy, and things have improved, but after much struggle.

There are many adult dogs and cats that can be adopted too.  Take the plunge if you haven’t already.  A pet adds a special dynamic to your children’s lives.

Author Soraya Diase Coffelt

 

10 Benefits of Children Playing Sports

According to the website www.family.com, there are at least 10 benefits to children for playing sports:

• It’s fun

• Kids have better self esteem, especially girls

• Kids are less likely to use drugs because they realize how destructive drugs can be to their bodies. Girls also are less likely to get pregnant. 

• Good to relieve stress and helps fight depression

• Teaches discipline, especially how to set and achieve goals

• Learn how to handle disappointment as sometimes you will win, but sometimes you will lose

• Academic success is often linked to participation in sports

• Develops teamwork and leadership skills

• Bolsters motor skills and math skills

• Teaches the importance of regular exercise which many will take into adulthood

Author Soraya Diase Coffelt

 

Consider Sports as Great Summer Activities for Your Children

My sons played all kinds of sports year round, especially my oldest son Zac, who is the athlete in the family.   When I was in school, I didn’t play many team sports but I did play a lot of games such as dodge ball and tetherball.  I was also a fast runner, beating my sisters and friends in running sprints.  

Playing sports is often associated with children doing well in school and actually graduating.  I had blogged previously about the NFL’s program “Play 60/Read 20” that encourages children to play and read more.  I can’t say enough about how important this is for children during the summer, in particular.  There are many sports camps available.  Or, sports activities can be planned with relatives and friends.  Again, it requires us as parents to be active in our children’s lives and make plans.

Author Soraya Diase Coffelt

 

An Active Parent Makes All the Difference

As parents, we have learned about the many negative effects that watching too much television can have on our children.  The important question is - what we can do about it?  According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), parents must be actively involved.  The key word is “active”.

Here are some of the ways that the organization recommends for parents to become active by:

•    Viewing programs with your children 
•    Selecting developmentally appropriate shows 
•    Placing limits on the amount of television viewing (per day and per week) 
•    Turning off the TV during family meals and study time 
•    Turning off shows you don't feel are appropriate for your child 

AACAP also recommends that parents select specific shows for their children to watch rather than just allow their children to sit in front of the tv for hours and watch random shows.  
There are many things that we can do as parents.  Let’s make a commitment to be more active this summer to ensure that our children are healthier and happier.

If you would like more information, visit AACAP by clicking here.

Author Soraya Diase Coffelt

 

Watching too much Television Has Negative Effects on Children

Sometimes, as a parent, I used the television set as a substitute babysitter.  Yes, I confess -it is too easy to do.  I would rationalize it by saying to myself that it was only for a short period of time and that I really needed to get something else done without my sons being under my feet. However, I have learned that doing this was not good for my children or me. 

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), there are confirmed negative effects on our children from watching TV.  For example, children who watch a lot of TV have these characteristics in common: they exercise less and tend to be overweight; they read less; and they have lower grades.  Also, they learn about such things as junk food, smoking, drinking alcohol, and sex.  Since they are so young and impressionable, parents should be introducing and talking to them about these subjects rather than having them learn from what they have watched on TV.

Author Soraya Diase Coffelt

 

How much Television will Your Children be Watching this Summer?

Now that school is over and summertime is here, what will your children be doing this summer?  I hope it’s not a lot of television watching!  The famous comedian Groucho Marx once said “I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.”  Does your child like to pick up a book rather than watch TV? 

For very young children under 2 years old, the American Academy of Pediatrics actually recommends that they do not watch any TV.  During these early years, children develop interaction skills with people and love to explore and play.  Watching TV deprives them of this critical development.   For preschoolers, watching TV can help with their learning the letters in the alphabet and other educational information, but TV should be limited.   Playing and reading should be important parts of their day with watching TV (or DVDs) as just a minimal pastime.

Author Soraya Diase Coffelt  

 

Using Your Mind as well as You use a Powder Puff

The famous actress Sophia Loren once gave advice to young women: “If you can learn to use your mind as well as you use a powder puff, you will become more truly beautiful.”  I admire Ms. Loren for her tenacity and wisdom.  Yes, she became an international star.  But, most important is the fact that she is very smart, not just beautiful and talented.

As young girls grow up in our modern society, they have many challenges to deal with, especially being bombarded daily by the media as to what a young lady should look, dress, and act like.  True, lasting beauty is not superficial – it comes through the development of our heart and mind in such things as compassion, love, honesty, and commitment.

Author Soraya Diase Coffelt

Children Dressing up and Acting in Plays is Great Summertime Fun

When my sisters and our friends and I had a long summer ahead of us to play, we often were very creative because we had no money to pay for anything.  I was the writer and would write plays.  We dressed up as characters in the plays and performed them for our families outside in the yard.

When I’m looking back on those days, I always have a big smile on my face because nothing ever went as planned.  We had to scrummage through and raid our families’ closets to put together the necessary costumes and our mothers’ makeup cases, to find makeup.  Our props were made out of cardboard boxes.  We hung a bed sheet on a clothes line for the stage curtain.  We had so much fun playing and inventing and acting.

As a word of encouragement … you don’t need a lot of money to be creative.  Just a desire to do it and have fun. 

Author Soraya Diase Coffelt

Encourage Your Children to Read Comic Books This Summer

When I was growing up, I read regular books, never any comic books, and I realize now what I missed.  I just was not a comic book reader at all and thought that they were for less serious readers.  However, things changed when I became a mother and realized that reading was important, no matter what was the format, and should be fun.  As a mother of two sons, I think that comic books may appeal more to boys than girls too.  It was my oldest son Zac who opened the world of comic books to me when he was a child.

One day, he brought home a Calvin and Hobbes comic book from a friend’s house.  Calvin is a mischievous and adventurous 6 year old boy and Hobbes is his stuffed tiger.  They have all sorts of hilarious fun together.  Soon, the entire series of comic books were a part of our home reading collection and both my sons read them over and over again, laughing as they turned the pages.  Later, a colleague introduced me to the comic book series on The Adventures of Tintin.  This time, a dog and his owner- a young male reporter- are involved.  The plots are more sophisticated and intriguing and the art work is wonderful.  My sons loved all the adventures.
 
In addition to these comic books are many Christian ones.  Introduce your child to the world of good, clean comics, if you haven’t already.  As a parent, I was truly happy to see my sons reading books over and over and laughing and enjoying themselves. 

Author Soraya Diase Coffelt

Weight Lifting for the Brain

Books are weight lifting for the brain.
— Tim Green, Former NFL Player & Author

It is great to hear about the NFL getting involved in promoting literacy.  Prime spokespersons are the Giants running back Rashad Jennings and former Atlanta Falcons defensive end Tim Green who kicked off an NFL program last year that encourages physical and academic fitness.  The program is Play 60/Read 20.  It emphasizes physical activity for 60 minutes a day and reading for 20 minutes.
 
Tim Green is an excellent role model for students.  After his career in the NFL, he went on to become a lawyer and a best-selling author.  He volunteers a great deal of his time talking to students throughout the US about the importance of reading and education.  “Not just myself, but everyone's career ends," he said. "Every professional athlete, the career ends and then what are you? You are whatever you created for yourself through education."

Author Soraya Diase Coffelt

When Does Preparation for Our Child’s Graduation Really Begin?

I attended the college graduation of my youngest son James this past weekend.  It was truly a joyous occasion as he passed from being an inexperienced undergraduate student to an experienced college graduate.  Looking back on his education, I came to the conclusion that the preparation for his college graduation did not begin the week or semester before the actual graduation date.

It started when he was still a child.  He would not have been able to meet all the rigorous requirements for graduating from college if his dad and I had not prepared him from very young to be an exceptional reader.   He has a deep love for books.  It began with us reading books to him and then him reading for himself.  We paid him and his brother $1 for each book that they read.  Soon, they forgot all about the money (yes … it’s hard to believe) and only wanted more and more books to read.  Reading a book today has a great impact on our children’s many tomorrows. 

Author Soraya Diase Coffelt

Fighting Child Poverty in the United States

According to a recent UNICEF report, one-third of the children in the United States live in poverty.  This is a shocking finding.  The US ranks 36th out of 41 of the wealthiest countries in the world studied in the report.  In comparison, the Norwegian countries only have 5.3 percent of their children in poverty.
 
More shocking is the fact that child poverty has increased by 2% since 2008 in the US according to the report.  On the other hand, 18 countries actually saw a reduction in child poverty.
 
We are undoubtedly the richest nation in the world, so why are one-third of our children suffering in poverty?  Much can be tied back to a portion of our population not being well educated, especially lacking proficiency in literacy.  If a person lacks a good education, whether regular or vocational, and is unable to read proficiently, that person is unlikely to get a job that pays well.  In my opinion, the ability to read proficiently is critical to every aspect of a child’s life and well-being. Hence, the main weapon to fight child poverty is literacy.

Author Soraya Diase Coffelt

All Children Have Gifts

All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.
— Pablo Picasso

I believe that what Picasso was saying in this quote is that all children are born with gifts.  What happens to those gifts as the child grows up?  Are the gifts watered and tenderly nurtured, or are they criticized and ridiculed? That’s where we, as parents, come in.  We play such a vital part in discerning and then watering and tenderly nurturing the gifts our children have.  These are God given gifts- not gifts of anyone’s choice. 
 
When I was growing up, I loved to read.  I started reading fiction and then nonfiction.  If I found a good novel, I would read a biography about the author.  One of my favorite authors was Louisa May Alcott who wrote Little Women.  Soon, I began writing plays for my sisters and friends and me to perform.  We had a lot of fun.  In school, my teachers would read my poems out loud.   I remember one specific English teacher who was always bragging to my parents about my creativity.  My parents loved the fact that their daughter was talented. 
 
Fast forward to the present – I am writing children’s books.  It certainly isn’t a coincidence. 

Author Soraya Diase Coffelt