About This:

Here's a fun musical way for children to learn about reading, writing, and mathematics. Phonics and numbers are presented in a meaningful context of colorful rhymes and stories. Through hand and finger motions, full body movement, and opportunities for verbal expression, children are fully engaged in the learning process.

This multi award winning CD earned the Parents' Choice Gold Award, the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award, and the Discovery School.com Award of Excellence.

The songs focus on the relationship between letter symbols (the alphabet) and sounds of the English language (phonemes).

The songs also encourage children to search for relationships, order and predictability as they work with numbers.

When the lyrics pose questions or problems, answers often come from children on the recording. There is always a musical interlude or a short pause before the answer is given. This gives the child listening a chance to answer first, then check the answer immediately following.

The 12 songs are presented first with vocal versions and then with instrumental renditions. Once children have learned a song, they can sing along without hearing the words or create their own lyrics and activities. The instrumentals have a soft piano melody line to act as a guide without overpowering the children's voices.

Included with each CD is a teaching guide that describes ways to actively involve children with each song. (Feel free to vary and adapt the ideas suggested in this guide, and to create new ways of using the songs to fit your school or home situation.) The ultimate goal is always the same: to foster enthusiasm and enjoyment of learning through music and movement.