Sounds and Symbols™
Literacy through Music – A unique programme for pre-school children
What is Sounds and Symbols?
Sounds and Symbols™ is a unique literacy-through-music programme for pre-school children, based on the book “Sound Before Symbol”. The activities in the programme combine music and literacy to build up the vital skills required for literacy success.
The phrase “Sound Before Symbol” was coined by Carl Orff, a 20th century composer and teacher, to illustrate that sound always precedes the introduction of its iconic representation – it is important to learn a sound before learning the symbol that is used to represent it. Children learn to understand and speak a language before they learn to write it. Spoken language is an inherent skill; reading and writing is not – literacy skills must be taught.
Sounds and Symbols™ literacy-through-music sessions offer lively musical activities with unique musical arrangements to:
- Specifically target and support the acquisition and development of literacy skills
- Build many essential pre-school skills
- Ignite the imagination and engender creativity
- Stimulate and educate whilst having a great time
- Support comprehension, sequencing, memory, prediction, and rapid automatised naming (RAN)
- Develop listening, speaking, and phonological awareness
- Develop both gross and fine motor skills
- Encourage turn-taking, communication, and self-regulation
The Sound Before Symbol Book
The book “Sound Before Symbol” examines how music may be presented to pre-school children and considers the benefits. It examines strategies employed to teach literacy, recent research into how the brain processes music and literacy, why the Early Years (0-8) are so vital, and suggests a model for bridging the gap between “Sound and Symbol”.
Published by SAGE Publications, it is available for purchase through our Resources page.
Workshops & Presentations
Workshops and presentations are available for early years teachers, students, and practitioners. These sessions explore the relationship between music and literacy, providing practical evidence-based strategies.
Are you an early years teacher or student? View the presentation to learn how literacy and music are related. Available as a PowerPoint presentation or PDF.
Interested in Sounds and Symbols™?
Contact us to learn more about the programme or to order your Literacy Resource Pack.
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