Why is the DVD so simple and uncomplicated?
The DVD purposefully uses basic animation including pictures and simple words only to enhance the child’s learning without becoming visually distracting. As the primary goal is to encourage verbal communication and motor imitation it is important for the child to visually attend to the presenter and not become distracted by excessive pictures, symbols or colours.
Why do the songs have just one instrument and voice?
The songs are slower paced with simple music accompaniment to allow time for the children to process the language without overwhelming them. Children who present with some difficulties processing language respond better and often more quickly if language is presented at a slower pace and is simplified and repetitious.
Why use video modelling to teach language?
Through the years I have tried and tested a wide variety of songs via the medium of video modelling and live modelling. I have consistently found that when teaching new skills, the use of video modelling appears to be much less threatening to the children than live modelling as the songs are always presented the same way visually and auditorilly. They don’t change every time the child sees them as they have been recorded, which allows the child to predict more easily what is about to happen next, thereby reducing their anxiety about learning. This results in a more relaxed child which opens up the scope for improved learning.
How are the songs created?
Each song is carefully developed around teaching specific skills incorporating the key areas of communication. Each song’s target areas are explained in detail in the DVD’s accompanying handbook. The target skills include a range of motor imitation skills (an essential step in developing communication), verbal imitation skills and general vocabulary development. Target areas are also outlined through the “Can you sound like me?” page.
Does this mean that my child does not need to see a speech pathologist?
This DVD is definitely NOT designed to replace the intervention provided by a speech pathologist. It has been designed by an experienced paediatric speech pathologist to use as an aid or another tool to further promote the development of communication.
Is the DVD designed only for the use of parents at home?
Definitely not. This DVD and earlier examples developed by Kath have become an integral part of music communication groups conducted in Early Intervention Centres, and have been highly useful tools for other therapists and special education teachers working in group settings.
