Small Talks, No. 88

December 9, 2022

Dec 09, 2022

Welcome to the eighty eighth edition of Small Talks. Every Friday, I highlight 6 areas of weekly joys and reflections in early childhood and the whole family. Small Talks leverages my experience at the intersection of education, philanthropy, and impact investing. Enjoy!

Musical Milestones for Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers – Primrose Schools

What I’m celebrating -

This newsletter is dedicated to music…and all its incredible benefits for brain development, for joy across cultures, and for human creativity and sharing with others.

Music training can be a literacy superpower. When kids study music—intensively and over long periods of time—they become better readers.
A 2016 study at the University of Southern California’s Brain and Creativity Institute also found that musical experiences in childhood can accelerate brain development, particularly in the areas of language acquisition and reading skills.
According to the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM Foundation), learning to play an instrument can improve mathematical learning and even increase SAT scores.
Also new study by researchers at the University of Bath demonstrates the positive impact learning to play a musical instrument has on brain processing power and on lift the blues.

For inspiration, this program connects toddlers in the Kindermusik program to elders with Alzheimer.

Also check out the work of Rita Rosa Ruesga, Cuban, educator, author and songwriter. 4x Latin Grammy nominee, and founder of Pikitin Learning Projects.

What I’m listening to -

The Magic of Singing podcast on the Teaching Channel Talks.

What I’m reading -

This biography relates the remarkable life of violinist and teacher Shinichi Suzuki, who pioneered an innovative philosophy of early childhood education―the Suzuki Method.

What is particularly interesting and often misunderstood is that he was less interested in musical genius than in imparting to young people the skills and confidence to learn. His pedagogy is founded on the conviction that all children possess tremendous capacity to learn.

What I’m watching -

TEDTalk with Richard Gill about the value of music education, where he makes the point that it is not only about listening or playing music, but also about creating.

What I’m learning more deeply -

Amazing report by the Bernard Van Leer Foundation on behavioral science and early childhood. Behavioral science offers evidence-based, empathetic solutions to many caregiving challenges.
Early childhood is on the royal agenda and in People Magazine! Congratulations to the Harvard Center on the Developing Child.

A quote I’m pondering -

“I'm always thinking about creating. My future starts when I wake up every morning...”
— Miles Davis

Feedback is a gift. Which part above is your favorite? What did I miss? What do you want more or less of? Other recommendations? Please kindly let me know. Thank to all of you who are sending me amazing suggestions.

Small Talks