Early Literacy #11: Rhythm & Reading

Rhythm isn’t just about the ebb and flow of music. Language also has rhythm and research indicates that there is a connection between learning to read and experience with rhythm in music.
 
Rhythm training enhances a variety of early reading skills, such as, phonological awareness, memory and auditory processing.¹ The repetition found in music helps children to understand how words and sentences work together to create meaning.²
 
Rhythm and reading programs have been used in schools to help young children develop their reading skills. Experience with rhythm is also appropriate as an early literacy opportunity for preschoolers.
 
Toddlers love to dance and sway to music. Movement scarves are great for whirling and twirling. As they get older, toddlers love to clap to music, too. Put on some music and join your little to march, tap or shake rhythm instruments and sing-along. Fun for everyone with an early literacy bonus.
 
See other Literacy Posts here: https://cupolacorner.blogspot.com/search/label/Early%20Literacy
 
The Cupola Corner Literacy Project purchases books for young children. When you buy a product that generates funds for The Cupola Corner Literacy Project you are helping to promote early literacy and helping young children learn to love reading. #readingisFUNdamental 
 
🔍To return to the main page, please click on the banner at the top of this page or click on this link: Cupola Corner Blog 
 
References:
 
1. Tierney, A., Gomez, J. C., Fedele, O., & Kirkham, N. Z. (2021). Reading ability in children relates to rhythm perception across modalities. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 210, 105196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jecp.2021.105196
 
‌2. Conservatory, M. L. (2025, February 26). From Rhythms to Reading: How Music Builds Early Literacy Skills | My Little Conservatory. My Little Conservatory. https://mylittleconservatory.com/from-rhythms-to-reading-how-music-builds-early-literacy-skills/

Journaling #18: The Memory Jar

A memory jar is a jar that you use to hold little notes or memorabilia about happy experiences or personal accomplishments that you would like to remember or recognize. You may have heard about memory jars but never really considered them to be a form of journaling. Because you write about experiences, according to Webster’s dictionary, a memory jar is indeed a form of journaling.
 
People sometimes save memories in their jar for a year and then open the jar on New Year’s Eve to enjoy those memories all over again. Reviewing your memories doesn't have to be a once-a-year event. Looking through your memory jar after a tough day is a great way to remind yourself that good things do happen.
 
Memory jars can also hold keepsakes from a vacation or special event. They make great gifts for birthdays, retirement celebrations or wedding showers. Guests can write about special memories and fill the jar with slips of paper or little cards created especially for the event.
 
Memory jars have also been used to help people process grief. Celebrating loved ones whom we have lost is part of the grieving process. Create a jar as part of a celebration of life with contributions from friends and family or on a more personal level fill the jar with your own memories and mementos of your loved one.
 
Memory jars can be used by individuals, groups or families. They can be large or small. You can decorate your jar or leave it as is.

You probably already have a jar that would be perfect for memory jar journaling. Why not start preserving those special memories one at a time?

•Cupola Corner sells a selection of handmade coil bound journals that would be perfect for many types of journaling.

Check out other journaling posts here: Journaling Posts

You're Invited! Join Cupola Corner and discover the world of journaling as we explore a new journaling experience each month throughout the year. Every month two new cards will be released. Each month we will explore a new type of journaling or a journaling strategy. Try something new. Learn something new. Click Here!

🔍To return to the main page, please click on the banner at the top of this page or click on this link: Cupola Corner Blog 

Early Literacy #10: "Baby, it's the beat!"

Recognizing beat in music is associated with strong reading readiness in preschoolers.² Beat is what makes you want to sway, tap or clap along to the music.
 
An understanding of the concept of a steady beat helps a child speak and read with a smooth cadence, which in turn enhances communication skills and reading comprehension.¹
 
Musical beat can help young children develop phonological awareness, prediction and cognitive skills, such as, memory, attention and pattern recognition.
 
Things to try with your littles²:
• March, stomp or jump to the beat of the music. Have a fun Family Dance Party.
• Use instruments to keep the steady beat with the music. You can even make your own instruments. How about a Family Marching Band?
• Clap along as you recite your child’s/grandchild’s favourite rhymes.
• Have a steady beat Treasure Hunt. Search for things that make a steady beat. The clock? Dripping water? A timer?
 
Music is important to the development of young children on so many different levels. Recognizing and keep the beat is just one of the ways to help your young one experience the wonder of music. Major Lance had it right, “Baby, it’s the beat.”
 
See other Literacy Posts here: https://cupolacorner.blogspot.com/search/label/Early%20Literacy
 
The Cupola Corner Literacy Project purchases books for young children. When you buy a product that generates funds for The Cupola Corner Literacy Project you are helping to promote early literacy and helping young children learn to love reading. #readingisFUNdamental 
 
🔍To return to the main page, please click on the banner at the top of this page or click on this link: Cupola Corner Blog 
 
References:
1. Kindermusik. (2024, April 4). 4 ways to test the positive effects of Steady Beat: Kindermusik. Minds On Music – The Kindermusik Blog. https://www.kindermusik.com/mindsonmusic/the-benefits-of-steady-beat/#:~:text=Cognitive%20Development:%20Engaging%20with%20steady,positive%20academic%20and%20general%20growth.
2. Music benefits early literacy archives. Minds On Music – The Kindermusik Blog. (n.d.). https://www.kindermusik.com/mindsonmusic/tag/music-benefits-early-literacy/#:~:text=For%20preschoolers%20and%20early%20school,and%20show%20stronger%20behavioral%20skills.
3. Steady Beat: Why it matters. Song of the Heart Studios. (2024, June 30). https://songheart.com/steady-beat-why-it-matters/