By Ava Parnass
“Music rightly is the best mind trainer.” – Dr. Charles Eliot, former president of Harvard University
As a child psychotherapist and songwriter I feel lucky that I am able to combine my passion for playing, talking with kids and songwriting. I am a big advocate of teaching children in a fun entertaining multidimensional way – thankfully the research supports this!
I teach parents and kids emotional literacy which means understanding that a child’s behavior is a form of communication and the feelings hiding underneath need to be explored and talked about so the behavior improves. I knew I had met some of my goals when a teacher asked me, “Are you THAT emotional literacy songwriter?”
Parenting is rewarding yet hard and kids don’t come with a manual. It’s also hard for parents to do everything and do everything well. So with this in mind I created books & songs to make teaching kids about how they feel fun, entertaining and easier.
In the books “Listen To Me Please,” “Time-In Not Time-Out” and “My Feelings are Hungry” I use pictures and words in a fun way to help educate families. I make use of rhymes, vibrant images, conversation starters and music to capture and engage kids in conversation. The songs I created are also a great way for kids to express themselves while being active.
SONG EXAMPLE
My feelings are playin’ hide and seek
They’re hiding
Buried way down deep
Gotta find out, gotta find out, gotta talk about what went wrong
Is there someone I’m mad at?
Someone I miss?
Do I need a hug?
Do I need a kiss?
Gotta find out, gotta find out
Gotta talk it out, talk it out, talk it out til I feel strong
I have found that the combination of fun educational games and musical stimulation can be magical in the advancement of a child’s learning capabilities. Every student learns differently but there is one thing that students seem to have in common – they want to be engaged when learning. Research has shown that music can help stimulate the part of the brain that helps someone retain knowledge while making it fun and enjoyable.
The combination of body and mind learning called “Sensory Integration” is a crucial factor in children’s readiness to learn subjects such as reading, writing and math. The best way to enhance children’s learning with music is to encourage listening to and learning music throughout the child’s developmental years. I was amazed and so happy when Shara of Mommy Perks introduced me to Kabongo.
The GoGoKabongo games also utilizes the concept of multi-dimesional learning by adding music in a variety of ways that are enjoyable and fun. GoGoKabongo, Mommy Perks and ListenToMePlease all know that music can make your child smarter. As children experience the integration of body and mind that the music provides, they learn more. I am proud to be a guest writer on the Kabongo blog and recommend them to all families looking for a way to get imaginative with literacy education for their child. It’s a purely enchanting and captivating site!
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ABOUT the Author
Ava Parnass is an Author/Songwriter/Child Therapist also known as “The Kid Whisperer”: Marrying up Entertainment and Emotional Literacy for Kids. Children learn how they feel through playing, talking, listening, reading, singing and dancing.
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Kabongo’s online reading games for kids ages 4-7 always adapt to their skill level, and are never too hard or too easy. Sign up and play today for free!
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HI
Thanks for Honor of doing a guest post appreciate!!! Love the site:0!