Achieve clear improvements in pronunciation and word articulation with Petit Folks’ song boxes!
The rhythmic, repetitive, and accessible structure of popular songs makes them ideal for addressing a wide range of therapeutic objectives in speech therapy. In fact, our wooden educational toys are also perfect for teaching in schools and specialized centers for speech therapy and other special educational needs.
Popular songs often include simple words, rhymes, and repetitive phrases, which make them great for practicing specific sounds and phonetic patterns. Speech therapists can use them to:
- Help children practice phonemes they find challenging
- Improve speech clarity by repeating the lyrics
- Introduce auditory discrimination exercises where children identify similar or different sounds
Songs like Old MacDonald Had a Farm or Had a Little Rooster are excellent for practicing sounds in a repetitive and enjoyable way through the repetition of onomatopeia.
Developing rhythm and speech fluency
The natural rhythm of songs helps children practice speech fluency. This benefit is especially valuable for those experiencing stuttering or challenges with language rhythm. Singing allows language to flow more naturally, reducing the anxiety associated with spontaneous speech.
Using musical toys for children with songs featuring short phrases and steady rhythms, such some of the songs included in the Petit Folks boxes, enables them to focus on the speech flow.
Stimulating receptive and expressive language
Popular songs offer a structured way for children to understand (receptive language) and reproduce (expressive language) words and phrases. Through complementary activities, speech therapists can:
- Introduce and reinforce thematic vocabulary (animals, colors, numbers)
- Stimulate verbal responses through song-based questions
- Encourage simple sentence construction
Children can learn vocabulary related to numbers, animals, and actions while practicing basic responses.
Encouraging Proper Breathing and Vocal Projection
Singing requires good breath control and proper voice usage. Popular songs help children learn to breathe at the right moments and promote healthy vocal projection by practicing changes in volume and pitch.
With the help of our wooden educational toys, speech therapists can use songs with long notes or tone changes, such as Debajo de un botón, to strengthen diaphragmatic breathing.
A great resource for children with special educational needs
Group singing of popular songs fosters the development of social skills. Children learn to take turns, imitate gestures, and collaborate in shared activities. This is beneficial for all children and especially helpful for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or challenges in social interaction.
For children with specific needs, such as speech and language disorders or hearing impairments, songs serve as a multisensory tool. Melodies, associated gestures, and complementary images reinforce learning through various channels.
Accompanying a song like To my donkey with images representing key words can help children with hearing difficulties or language processing challenges.
A tailored educational tool
One of the great advantages of popular songs is their adaptability to the needs of each child. Speech therapists can make necessary variations, ensuring that these wooden educational toys evolve alongside the child, respecting their learning pace.
There are many ways to adapt popular songs:
- Modify lyrics to emphasize specific sounds
- Adjust rhythm or speed based on the child’s abilities
- Add gestures and movements to make the activity more interactive
An effective tool for early childhood education
Popular songs have always been a valuable tool in early childhood education, as they blend essential elements for cognitive and emotional development. With catchy melodies and simple lyrics, our wooden educational toys are ideal for helping young children improve their pronunciation, learn new languages, and develop a wide range of skills.