Text 19

Using music to help children with talking problems

Task 1. Read and translate this text.

Children learn language through constant repetition and exploration of sounds and words. For some, that process of learning to talk comes easily, and for others, it is more difficult. Because repetition and exploration is so essential, we decided to create a tool that would entice children to imitate - especially those children who find imitation difficult. Parents frequently ask for activities, which they can do with their children, and the songs and raps fulfill that need. Speech-language pathologists and other professionals use different songs during therapy sessions and for classroom activities.

We believe that music is a powerful tool to help children achieve the goals of repetition and exploration of sounds and words.

We believe that children should have fun while practicing and learning new speech and language skills.

We believe in giving families effective and enjoyable tools to enhance their children’s speech and language skills.

We believe and make it a goal that any product we create will especially reach the children who need it the most - those children to whom speech does not come easily and who need fun tools to practice.

Task 2. Open the brackets using the proper word from the text:

1.Children learn language through (постоянное повторение) and exploration of (звуки) and words.

2.Because repetition and exploration is so (необходимо), we decided to create a (инструмент) that would (соблазнять) children to imitate - especially those children who find (подражание) difficult.

3.(логопеды) and other professionals use different songs (занятиях по терапии) and (на уроках).

4.We believe that music is a (мощный интрумент) to help children (достигать цель) of repetition and exploration of sounds and words.

Text 20

Using Music to Enhance Reading Skills

Task 1. Read and translate this text.

Music is a powerful tool and can be used to strengthen the skills needed for reading. If your child has dyslexia, learning disabilities, or other difficulties learning to read, exploring music to compensate for the difficulty in learning could be a very powerful tool. Studies have proven the effectiveness of using music to improve word identification, letter and sound recognition, and vocabulary. Listed below are some ways to use the songs to help the development of reading skills.

1.The magic of rhythmic flow of songs can have a positive impact on kids’ vocabulary and recognition of printed words. Because of the constant repetition of the words, the slower rate, and a child’s familiarity with each word, songs are excellent choices for reading activities.

2.Pair up pictures with the printed word. Have two picture sheets that can help your child. Under each picture, the printed phrases are written for your child to follow along. These song sheets help children to understand the concept of going from left to right.

3.Combine the pictures and printed words with the songs. Encourage your child to draw pictures of words to the songs and create your own illustrated books with the words printed below each picture. These self-made books are fun and motivating for children.

4.Expose your child to the sounds in words and how those sounds combine to form words. Songs with rhyming can help children hear the differences in words. Print the words and use a different color for each final consonant. Your child can begin not only hearing the similarities and differences in these words but can start seeing them as well.

Task 2. Give equivalents in Russian: a child’s familiarity, the skills needed for reading, to enhance, the constant repetition, to expose, self-made, final consonant, to combine, learning disabilities, powerful tool, a positive impact.

Task 3. Open the brackets using the proper word from the text:

1.Music is a powerful tool and можно использовать) to strengthen (умения) needed for reading.

2.If your child has (дислексия), learning disabilities, or other difficulties learning to read ….

3.(поощрять) your child to draw pictures of words to the songs.

4.The magic of rhythmic flow of songs can have (положительное воздействие) on kids’ vocabulary and (опознавание) of printed words.

5.(представлять) your child to (звуки) in words and how those (звуки) combine to form words.