<< BACK TO AGENDA

ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'Music, Language, Intelligence and the Brain: Theory, Research Findings & Practical Applications for Early Intervention – An Interactive Breakout Session ' Track: 3-Early Intervention and Beyond Audience: Primary Audience: Secondary Audience: Tertiary Audeince: Keyword(s): music, language, intelligence, research, early intervention Learning Objectives: 1)incorporate research findings in the areas of music, language and the brain in their early intervention sessions; 2)identify aspects of music that facilitate language learning/development; 3)group popular children's songs into specific categories (ie. developmental levels and/or skills) Abstract: Music and Language (M&L) have walked hand-in-hand throughout the ages, permeating indiscriminately through cultures, religions, socio status, and more. Comparative studies reveal fundamental similarities in the phonology, semantics and syntax of M&L. Furthermore, due to the advancements in research & technology in various fields of study – linguistics, neurosciences, brain imaging and such – we now have knowledge of the benefits of music as it relates to different areas of early childhood development. This presentation seeks to briefly touch upon the theory & research findings regarding M&L, and dwell more thoroughly in the applications pertaining to early intervention approaches and strategies for families with children with hearing loss. Some of the questions that will be addressed in this session are: 1) Is there a systematic way of teaching music when I have no musical background? 2) How do I incorporate music for different stages of a child’s development? 3) What songs can I sing that will build vocabulary and have carry-over to language and literacy? 4) Are there online resources dealing with children’s songs from different cultures? 5) What must I be aware of when incorporating music in my sessions with a child with hearing loss? Handouts: Handout is not Available
SPEAKER INFORMATION
PRESENTER(S): Natasha Wen - Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)      Credentials: 1)Prof. Clear Multiple Subj. Credential; 2)Prof. Clear DHH Education Specialist Credential; 3)Prelim. Administrative Credential      Other Affiliations: Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD); A.G. Bell       Born in Taiwan, raised in Brazil & England, Natasha has been living in the US for the past 20 years. Her professional career has been dedicated to families and children with hearing loss, particularly the Hispanic population of greater Los Angeles. Natasha recently attended & presented at the III Congreso Iberoamericano de Educación y Sordera (III Latin American Conference on Education and Deafness) in Argentina. She is the founder of the Early Start Unilateral Hearing Loss Program at Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Natasha has also had an extensive musical training. She plays various instruments and sang in operatic productions of "Carmina Burana", "Orpheus in the Underworld" and "La Belle Helene." She holds a Orff-Schulwerk Certification for Music Specialists, teaching choir and Orff on weekends, while working full-time for LAUSD as a DHH Early Interventionist.   AUTHOR(S): Natasha Wen - Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)      Credentials: 1)Prof. Clear Multiple Subj. Credential; 2)Prof. Clear DHH Education Specialist Credential; 3)Prelim. Administrative Credential      Other Affiliations: Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD); A.G. Bell       BIO: Born in Taiwan, raised in Brazil & England, Natasha has been living in the US for the past 20 years. Her professional career has been dedicated to families and children with hearing loss, particularly the Hispanic population of greater Los Angeles. Natasha recently attended & presented at the III Congreso Iberoamericano de Educación y Sordera (III Latin American Conference on Education and Deafness) in Argentina. She is the founder of the Early Start Unilateral Hearing Loss Program at Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Natasha has also had an extensive musical training. She plays various instruments and sang in operatic productions of "Carmina Burana", "Orpheus in the Underworld" and "La Belle Helene." She holds a Orff-Schulwerk Certification for Music Specialists, teaching choir and Orff on weekends, while working full-time for LAUSD as a DHH Early Interventionist.