6 ways music and movement support the early language development of ELL students

Finger plays, traditional nursery rhymes and songs reinforce phonemic awareness and the systematic relationship of letters of the alphabet and the sounds connected to each letter. Plus, musical instruction and experience help the brain improve its ability to distinguish between rapidly changing sounds, referred to as auditory processing. Music is a natural vehicle for language acquisition. It’s easy to remember new words when they’re set to music and paired in rhymes.

  1. Music stimulates language learning, builds phonological and phonemic awareness, and enhances language skills.
  2. Children who learn through movement show a marked improvement in memory.
  3. English Language Learners who participate in early childhood music programs also improve their fine and gross motor skills and experience gains in cognitive, social, emotional, and musical skills.
  4. Actively listening to songs and nursery rhymes introduces children to the specific sounds and language patterns of English.
  5. Singing in a foreign language can improve learning how to speak it.
  6. It’s fun for students and teachers so the entire class stays engaged in the learning!

What our customers say...

No other program immerses the children in such a language rich world!  Our families love it, and it helps reinforce the language learning when they sing the songs and read the stories at home.  We find that many families are learning English right along with their children.

--Program Director, El Paso, TX