New neuroscience research is showing us the long-term impact that reading aloud has on children, stretching all the way into adulthood. We have always known that reading aloud is an important way to bond with your baby and develop language skills. But the latest research, led by author Rekha S. Rajan, shows that individuals who were read to more frequently as children showed a healthier brain in old age. Parents reading to their own child was a valuable and important part of supporting lifelong brain development. The Read Aloud Factor gives parents and caretakers what they need to make read-alouds a regular and enjoyable part of the family routine. This innovative book shares the latest research on brain development, describes how reading aloud supports language and social-emotional development, and provides ideas for integrating STEAM practices of reading aloud with arts and technology. The scientific insight that inspired this project is distilled into accessible, actionable information for parents and educators on how to read aloud in an effective, engaging, and meaningful way. The key to the book is its accessible approach, which combines findings from the most modern research to provide new pathways for parents and caregivers to support their baby’s development.

Make music with this introduction to the four instrument families: drums, horns, strings, and voice in this new series written and narrated by a world-renowned music educator.

What do a set of bongos, a tambourine, and a cooking pot have in common? They are all drums! This first introduction to instruments in the drum family begins with a simple explanation of what defines a drum. Young listeners are then invited on a global exploration of a variety of percussive instruments and are encouraged to find drums of their own in the world around them.
 
Each audiobook in the THIS IS MUSIC series features an interactive listening game called “What’s That Sound?” that allows young musicians to practice identifying instruments.

Make music with this introduction to the four instrument families: drums, horns, strings, and voice in this new series written and narrated by a world-renowned music educator.

What do a trumpet, a tuba, and a conch shell have in common? They are all horns! This first introduction to instruments in the horn family begins with a simple explanation of what defines a horn. Young listeners are then invited on a global exploration of a variety of brass and wind instruments and are encouraged to find horns of their own in the world around them.
 
Each audiobook in the THIS IS MUSIC series features an interactive listening game called “What’s That Sound?” that allows young musicians to practice identifying instruments.

Make music with this hands-on introduction to the four instrument families—drums, horns, strings, and voice—in this series by a world-renown music educator.

What do a guitar, a harp, and a piano have in common? They are all strings! This first introduction begins with a simple explanation of what defines a string instrument. Young listeners are then invited on a global exploration of a variety of different stringed instruments and are encouraged to find strings of their own in the world around them. 
 
Each audiobook in the THIS IS MUSIC series features an interactive listening game called “What’s That Sound?” that allows young musicians to practice identifying instruments.