It's All About the Brain! How to Use Music-Making to Unlock Baby's Brain for Reading by Ann C. Kay, M.A.

Current neuroscience reveals a remarkable truth: the way young brains process sound builds the foundation for language and literacy, and music-making actively strengthens that foundation. Join Ann C. Kay, M.A., Co-founder of Rock ’n’ Read Project, for a fun, engaging session where you’ll sing (on mute!), explore the science of early brain development, and learn how to use music-making to help babies and toddlers build essential pre-reading skills. No prior music training is required.

Long before a child says “Mama” or “Dada,” they begin “warbling”—experimenting with pitch and rhythm. Through singing, caregivers and educators can nurture connection while strengthening auditory processing, auditory memory, phonological awareness, and beat synchronization, or the ability to keep a steady beat. Research consistently links beat-keeping with later reading achievement, making everyday musical experiences a powerful tool for early learning.

In this high-energy webinar, Ann will show you how to turn brain research into simple, practical “Monday morning” strategies that support infant and toddler development. Together, you’ll practice foundational music-making skills such as keeping a steady beat and matching pitch, while discovering how daily musical experiences build “musical fitness” over time. Like physical fitness, musical fitness develops through regular practice and supports the cognitive growth necessary for language and literacy acquisition. By singing the day away, you can create a joyful, nurturing environment while helping lay the groundwork for lifelong learning.

Learning Outcomes
Participants will be able to:

1. Examine the research linking auditory processing, auditory memory, phonological awareness, and beat synchronization to future reading success.

2. Apply age-appropriate music-making techniques such as beat-keeping and pitch matching with infants and toddlers.

3. Implement daily musical practices to support long-term cognitive development in infants and toddlers.

Disclosure

Rock ‘n’ Read Project holds a financial interest in A Song A Day: Brain Prep for Pre-Readers and may reference it during the session.