the Program


TALK-N-DRUM



	The Program

Senior Classes

Shopping-Tambourines Hand Drum

Shopping-Instruments for Young Children

Shopping-Toddler

Acquiring language: Born to be multi-lingual

The acquisition of a speech system is one of the most remarkable accomplishments of a young child. What is even more remarkable is that all children are born with the ability to be multi-lingual and acquire multiple native accents. It is before birth that a child begins to distinguish speech sounds and studies have shown that if two languages are spoken in the presence of a new born (s)he will respond to the one spoken by his mother. Children have the natural ability to distinguish the sounds of all languages and have a built in filing system that allows them to identify and categorized these sounds, along with the ability to internalize the rhythm, physical adaptation and accent of each. Even if significant exposure occurs during the first few years of life only, the speech sounds will remain in the child’s mental file forever. Early and frequent exposure is key as this ability weakens significantly before they reach age 10.


The Talk n Drum foreign language and music program is designed to expose children 10 months to age 5 to the sounds and rhythms of a foreign language. The program brings the speech sounds into a musical context so the child may perceive the spoken language as an art form, her/his learning process as a creative one, and its environment as one where (s)he is free to verbally experiment. As in learning the language of music, once a basic structure is established, the process is a purely creative one where all outcomes including those considered outside of the boundaries of correctness are useful to the overall process. In this way the child is using his full learning potential at its most ‘free’ flowing time of life. Preschoolers exposed to a second and third language -tend to have high self esteem and are more likely to think ‘out of the box’ -read and write sooner than monolinguals and have a high level of success in other studies -tend to have highly developed problem solving and communication skills -tend to be interested in cultures outside of their own, and develop a sensitivity to the people who belong to those cultures -keep knowledge of their inherited language sharp and accessible -develop a better understanding of the importance of culture		Learning a speech system through playing instruments, chanting and singing songs The T N D method brings together playing instruments, an original repertoire of songs, chanting, movement and visual aides to support emphasize and enhance the rhythmic dynamics and overall sound of the language the child is learning to speak. Early music classes -builds self esteem -stimulates creativity -develops large and small motor skills -develops focus and concentration -develops the child’s sense of team and community.