Developing Early Verbal Skills Through Music

Developing Early Verbal Skills Through Music is a truly fabulous must-read for all musicians working with SEND. Through reading this book the impact of music will become even deeper for both the participant and Music Facilitator. It’s the book that wasn’t there when I began work with SEND. Clear, accessible, and well written, finally a book that tells us why what we do is so important and how to improve it! – Nikki-Kate Heyes MBE, Community Musician and CEO soundLINCSI found reading this book a joyful experience. It opened my mind to the possibilities of deeper engagement with autistic people, with whom I work. It also gave me a new perspective on communication and interaction in a general sense. The book is peppered with insight, information and well-referenced encouragement to look afresh at how we use our bodies to create pitch, time, rhythm, words, voice and melody…and relationships. Armed with the learning we take from this book, we will be able to close ever tighter that circle of belonging in which an inclusive, healthy community can thrive. It is a book with a great heart and confident teaching. – Simon Bentley – Specialist Teacher, District SENCO and DramatherapistThe book outlines developmentally appropriate methods to understand the role of music in children’s lives through play, games, creativity, and movement. Tracy explores a holistic, artistic, and integrated approach to understanding the developmental connections between music and children. – Dr Maria Efstratopoulou, Head of Special Education Department United Arab Emirates UniversityJeffery weaves a stimulating and thoughtful narrative which draws on her extensive experience, professional curiosity and long-term interest in music in the context of special needs. * Professor Graham F Welch, UCL Institute of Education, London *I feel this book offers therapists and educators invaluable insight into supporting communication differences and disability. As a therapist, mindfulness teacher and educator I found this book to be well-evidenced and clear, with helpful practical examples. This book will without doubt be of interest to anyone applying creative approaches in therapy and education. – Jenny Hamilton, Registered MBACP, Senior Lecturer in Counselling/ Psychological Therapies

Tracy Jeffery is Senior Lecturer in Special Educational Needs and Inclusion at Bishop Grosseteste University. She has spent the past 20 years exploring how music can be used to support children and young adults with speech and language difficulties.