The Sound of Hope, simple suggestions to do tonight.

While we cannot change the past, or undo what has been done, we can derail the course we are on, and that of our children for the better.  In reading, The Sound of Hope by Lois Kam Heymann, I understand a little more about what the experts say, regardless of what other parents do or say.  I have classical music playing as my children are asleep just as I type.

               Our son’s Occupational Therapist, OT, has for over a year suggested to have classical music playing as our children fall asleep and while they slumber.  We started with great intentions, but we were met with resistance, our youngest seemed more distracted by it than able to calm down and drift into dreamland.  He won and we opted out of the music even after they were asleep.  I know better now!

               Lois Kam Heymann is a Speech and Language Pathologist with over thirty years of experience with children.  Her book, to be released April 27^th, is devoted to Auditory Processing Disorders (APD), its symptoms and suggestions to help children affected by it.  Her book is an easy yet very enlightening read.  She easily expresses the terminology of the auditory system, the way the brain listens, in ways that connect with the reader, be it a parent or educator.  This book would be a great value to educators, mostly of the younger grades and words of thoughts for administrators.  A great read for new parents and those with Sensational Kids.

               Ms. Heymann puts some great information in the 3^rd part of the book that deals with listening skill building.  Her suggestions are easy to follow and impact everyday situations without putting a family out of normal daily routines.  She gives a lot of focus on the early years and how to help develop good listening skills. 

               Listening is the key that unlocks a child’s ability to learn . . . Listening is such an essential skill that when a child simply can’t do it, it creates a tragic domino effect.

               She lists and explains the Developmental Elements of Listening, Detection, Discrimination, Identification and Comprehension.  She further demonstrates six distinct hearing qualities and how they are affected in APD.  Her ability to give examples and follow each up with clear explanations gives great insight to her knowledge.  She is truly sharing her wisdom with readers for the benefit of children with ADP, and those developing their auditory systems.

               Her chapter regarding music and the importance of it goes into great details of why music helps the brain grow in unison and help solidify communication between each side of the brain.

               Music engages the left and right auditory processing centers fully.  It encourages a deepening relationship between sound and memory and movement and strengthens a child’s capacity to communicate and reason effectively.

               Because hearing and listening are part of development starting birth, her background information gives support to normal parenting activities for each stage.  She gives reasons behind songs, rhymes and children’s poems that have been passed down from generation to generation.  These should not be replaced by the digital world; exchanging active listening for passive listening that only damages auditory development rather than enriching our lives.  I highly recommend The Sound of Hope to any parent, educator or family member of young children.  The more neurodevelopment we understand as we raise children, the more children can learn to their potential.

               If there is one easy thing to do tonight, it is put on some classical music while your child sleeps, not to give them a jump start in life, but to give them an opportunity to listen at their potential.  Talk and sing and engage your child’s attention in conversation. As Lois puts it:

               The act of listening- using our ears and our mind together to interpret and experience sound and language in the fullest possible way- is one of life’s greatest pleasures.

 

See Lois Kam Heymann’s blog here . . .

 

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Click here to read my interview with Ms. Heymann regarding her practice, her book and her advice for parents and educators!

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