This recording adds fun and variety to early childhood reading and math programs with original compositions and unique adaptations of traditional favorites. Children play with language in ways that nurture phonological awareness. They gain familiarity with the sounds of language and connect these sounds to letter symbols. Recent research shows that children who have a greater degree of phonological awareness are better equipped to learn to read. Included in this CD are songs that encourage children to:
o Enjoy the sound and rhythm of language
(examples: wiggy-wiggy-wiggles, silly-willy-nillies)
o Perceive the difference between similar sounding words
(examples: tuba-Cuba, trumpet-crumpet, cello-jello)
o Substitute one sound for another
(examples: apples-eeples-opples, hickory-dickory-rickory-snickory)
o Notice words that rhyme and identify word families that have frequent spelling patterns.
(examples: pig-wig-jig, cat-rat-bat, dip-sip-tip, clap-tap-snap)
o Remove and add initial and ending consonant sounds
(examples: ornbrea-cornbread, opcor-popcorn)
o Recognize letter sound correspondence
(example: 's' says 'sss' in singer and song)
As children develop vocabulary and language, they also play with numbers in ways that enhance skills in mathematics. Songs are included that motivate young learners to count, discover number patterns, add, subtract, understand place value, and identify units of money The accompanying teaching guide suggests ways to involve children actively with each song.
