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Speech delays affect over a million young children in the U.S.—including dual language learners and those with Autism, Down syndrome, and intellectual delays. Discover how neuroscience is revealing music’s powerful role in supporting speech development and early communication—in just 10 minutes a day.
Guest
My guest today is joining me from Santa Monica, CA. David Sonnenschein is a neuroscientist, musician, filmmaker, sound designer, and educator. There are a million different topics I would love to interview David about (!), but today we’re talking about his work with iQsonics, researching and developing music and audio for brain health. Specifically, we’re talking about iQsonics’ flagship program, Sing And Speak 4 Kids, a music-based game to help young children with speech delays.
Notes
We discuss:
- Speech delays are very common with young children — one of my kids needed speech therapy during preschool years – and it’s so important for Kindergarten readiness to achieve a certain level of fluency. Sing & Speak is for these kiddos, as well as those with Down syndrome, on the Autism spectrum, dual language learners, underserved learners, and those with intellectual delays/disabilities.
- It is designed for children aged 18 months to 7 years, but also has benefits for older kids and the “young at heart!”
- Sing and Speak 4 Kids (SS4K) is an online, fun, interactive game. We discuss the interface and what the user experience is like.
- SS4K can be used at home, at school, or in a clinic; alone or in groups; online with a professional; as a game with siblings, parents, grandparents, or caregivers.
- SS4K is evidence-based, federally funded, and clinically tested, with outcomes published in peer-reviewed journal.
- The science behind SS4K. Why music? What is it about music that facilitates success in this application?
- SS4K is currently available in the US and will be available soon globally. (In the meantime, English speakers living outside the US can be manually added as a user by contacting SS4Kids@iQsonics.com.)
Connect/Other Resources
- Sing and Speak 4 Kids website: SingandSpeak4Kids.com
- David’s website: PromptingTheMuse.com
- IQsonics website
- David is the author of the international textbook Sound Design: The Expressive Power of Music Voice and Sound Effects in Cinema (translated into Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese and Korean)
- David on LinkedIn
- Learn more about the research.
Other episodes we mentioned or that you may enjoy:
- Ep. 154: How does music impact stuttering? With Dr. Heather Grossman, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-F
- Ep. 77: Music interventions in speech development & disorders, with Laura Moorer, M.A., CCC-SLP
- Ep. 108: How is music boosting skills and learning in students in special education? With Natalie Hawkins, MT-BC
- Ep. 164: Adaptive Music Education: Achieving potential and nurturing exceptionalities with harmony; with Erin Parkes, PhD
- Ep. 152: Helping children identify, express, and regulate emotions with music; with Stephanie Leavell, MT-BC
- Ep. 151: What are the benefits of singing for our health and wellbeing? with Dr. Diana Allan
- Ep. 120: The inclusive, sustainable music classroom; with United Sound’s Julie Duty
- Ep. 83: Connecting the dots between SEL and music, with Scott Edgar, PhD
- Ep. 60: How does music training affect children’s Social-Emotional Learning, and how is SEL affected by a pandemic? With Dr. Assal Habibi
- Ep. 59: How does MUSIC learning impact OTHER learning? With Dr. Anita Collins
- View all episodes related to Education & Community and Science & Health
In-Episode Promo
SHEET MUSIC DIRECT: One of my favorite ways to enhance my life with music is to play just-for-fun songs on the piano at the end of the day. My current favorites are ABBA songs and songs from the 80s, like We Are The World. With Sheet Music Direct, I can explore new music, track my favorites, play and download scores any time, from any device. This online treasure trove of digital sheet music is powered by music publisher Hal Leonard and has over a million arrangements—ready to view, listen to, and download instantly. Prices start at just $0.99 and include selections for every instrument, genre, and skill level. My family has relied on Sheet Music Direct for years for musical joy and convenience. For an entire musical library at your fingertips, visit SheetMusicDirect.com.
LIVING WELL WITH DR. MICHELLE: If you’ve listened to this podcast for long, you know that, in addition to being passionate about music, I am also passionate about natural health and wellbeing. So I was intrigued to learn about an all-natural toothpaste developed by a biologic, holistic dentist to effectively clean and protect teeth and strengthen enamel without fluoride or the many chemicals that are ubiquitous in the commercial toothpastes that I’ve always used without a second thought. What really caught my attention was that one of these dentist’s products was specially formulated for sensitive teeth, which I have thanks to gum recession. I was a little skeptical that an all-natural product would provide adequate sensitivity protection, but after trying it for several months, I am a fan. What clinched the deal was going to my 6-month dental cleaning and having my hygienist rave about the whiteness of my teeth. To learn more about the Living Well Sensitive Tooth Powder and other products – and get 10% off your order – check out the link in the show notes (or use Coupon Code: musicenhances10 at livingwellwithdrmichelle.com). (Or buy on Amazon.)
Coda
David shares about his experience moving from classical performance to improvisation with ecstatic dance.
Closing Words
Thanks so much to David for joining us today and for all he does to enhance lives with music through his work. David wanted me to mention that his company, IQsonics, is looking to expand and connect with strategic partners for both collaboration and funding related to healthcare and education for early childhood development. To find out more, just email SS4Kids@iQsonics.com.
You can always connect with me on email (mindy@mpetersonmusic.com), Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
Thank you so much for joining me today. Until next time, may your life be enhanced with music.
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