GETTING STARTED
Read Our FAQS
One of the best ways to learn more about Sing to Say Foundations is to read our FAQs. It includes background on how and why the app helps kids to acquire language, goals, tips and targets, and more.
Resources
Resources and information to help you get started with Sing to Say Foundations.
Video INTRODUCTION
A video to introduce you to the Sing to Say Foundations application
Literature REVIEW
A review of the literature on children with autism and the impact of music
The MUSIC
Music is what makes Sing to Say Foundations so powerful, especially when combined with animation. Check out these samples.
General Overview
What is Sing to Say Foundations?
Sing to Say Foundations is an application developed for children with autism to help them learn language using music and animation.
What is the goal of Sing to Say Foundations?
To provide a path for children to learn words through music and become capable of independent speech.
Who is Sing to Say Foundations for?
Early communicators ranging from non-verbal to those who have more advanced communication and language skills. Often these are young children, but Sing to Say Foundations is designed for those who need it.
At what age can a child start to use this app?
As early as 2 years of age. Autism can be generally diagnosed before 2 years of age, and younger if nonverbal. Note that language development in children occurs between the ages of 0 and 7 making early intervention important.
Why does music help learning?
Music activates sections of the brain different from the spoken language centers, which can be very helpful in teaching language and fostering communication.
Can you tell me more about the music?
The music is well paced, clear and articulate. Piano, guitar and drums are very popular with our audience. Children love to sing and be sung to. Our studio singers are great performers and were specially chosen for their ability to sing to children.
What does research say about using music?
Our research shows that music and language are acquired in different parts of the brain. For people with autism, the language centers are impaired but the music centers usually are not. Sing to Say Foundations uses music to bridge to the language centers of the brain.
What are the songs?
The songs are all 6 seconds long, with the keyword at the beginning and the end. The songs are short, repetitive and simple. The keywords are prominent and often repeated in the lyrics.
Engagement
I can see that Sing to Say Foundations is entertaining and fun. Does that help the learning?
Children are motivated by fun and fun is a huge motivator for learning.
Why does Sing to Say Foundations use animation?
Animation is more engaging for children than static images.
Tell me about the animation
Sing to Say Foundations is hosted by the Minimops, original animated characters created for Sing to Say Foundations. The animation sets a friendly and inviting tone. They add to the engagement experience and so enhance learning.
Meet the Minimops
The Minimops form a tiny musical band that’s all about trying things out, having fun and discovering the joy of music. They use music to express themselves and explore the world around them.
Tina, the singer is super confident. She brings great energy to everything she does and her friends just love being around her.
Zach
Zach is the sensitive artist in the group. He likes the xylophone because it adds colour to the band.
Leo
Leo loves physical activity, whether it’s dancing or a game of soccer – anything with movement. He’ll make music – anywhere, anytime!Alia
Alia is smart and organized. She works very hard and keeps the band practicing and focused.
Do the Minimops icons conform to the established alternative communication symbols?
Yes. The pictures represent the idea of what the word means. We strive to teach children to understand the meaning of a word in text as well as the symbol. This is especially true with core words where there are no real visual identifiers.
Modules For Learning
What are the two sections in Sing to Say Foundations?
- Sing to Say Foundations emphasizes two language learning principles: acquisition and consolidation. These concepts are the basis of the modules: Learn It and Check It.
Learn It is the receptive module. It’s all about acquiring new vocabulary and expanding it. The songs, the lyrics and the animation enhance learning vocabulary in context.
Check It is for consolidation. We can monitor whether the words have been learned and consolidated with meaning.
What is Learn It?
Learn It is a module in Sing to Say Foundations where children learn words. The words are organized into Theme Packs. Tapping on a Theme Pack opens the pack to display the words in the pack. Tapping on a word triggers a song and animation for that word.
What is Check It?
Check It is a module in Sing to Say Foundations where we work on consolidation. We can monitor whether the words have been learned and consolidated with meaning.
Will repetition enhance retention ?
Yes. Singing can be so much fun for children that they are unaware they are learning words by heart. This is why our songs have simple, frequently repeated words. Repetition in a musical setting will reinforce associations between the words and images.
What’s the basic idea of how Sing to Say Foundations works ?
We pair music with lyrics and animation to enhance receptive learning
We use the learned vocabulary to enhance expressive language
We test for understanding and retention
Tips and Targets
Can I replace an AAC application which was recommended by my therapist with Sing to Say Foundations ?
No, unless it’s with the approval and recommendation of your therapist or teacher. Sing to Say Foundations is designed to be an extension, not a replacement, for your current recommended AAC tools. If your child is demonstrating success with Sing to Say Foundations we recommend discussing options with your therapist.
Do you recommend modeling with Sing to Say Foundations ?
Having a learner watch and imitate a behaviour performed by parent or teacher is a well-established teaching method. it helps the child learn motor pathways and problem solving. It’s always good to engage with your child and their activity, whatever vocabulary you’re trying to teach. For example for “wash”, demonstrate washing different items. You’d be modeling as you do the action.; Wash dog… wash face…wash dishes.
How do I help my child to generalize what they’re learning ?
Use multiple examples to demonstrate the same word. For example with the word open: opening a door, a book, a bottle. Generalizing is what we are teaching.
The Sing to Say Foundations Difference
How is Sing to Say Foundations different from other apps on the market?
These are the features that are exclusive to Sing to Say Foundations:
We use music to teach language
We teach directly what the words mean
We provide error correction and testing
We use animation to show what things are and engage the children in an enhanced experience
In what languages is Sing to Say Foundations available?
Currently available English.
How can you assure our privacy?
Sing to Say Foundations is certified for compliance with COPPA, the Children’s Online Privacy & Protection Act. The PRIVO COPPA certification Seal posted on this page indicates Sing to Say Foundations has established COPPA compliant privacy practices and has agreed to submit to PRIVO’s ongoing oversight.
Please feel free to contact us at any time; we would be pleased to help. You can contact us at singtosay.com/support
Thank you,
Neil Smolar
Producer
neil@singtosay.com
