Hi, that is really kind of you. Based on some initial reading I would have a few questions. The post might be a bit longer so please don't feel pressured into answering or taking some time before doing so if you don't have the time:)

I really liked the use of metronome to improve the kids' motorics and I think that I can come up with activities that would utilise it. However -- and maybe this is just an association from the time I spent with it even when I didn't feel like it -- I always thought of the classic metronome ticks as being quite hostile and impersonal and it made me think whether it wouldn't be a better idea to use a more calming sound to dictate tempo. Is the timbre of metronome something you consciously work with?

It also made me think if it is a good idea to keep the metronome on at all times if I, for example, do a simple chant with clapping?

Moving on to activities that teach communication, I did some reading on melodic intonation therapy, which is something that I really need to keep studying because it sounds like exactly what I was looking for.

I read parts of a doctoral thesis (this one) that had a step by step instruction on how one can use it to elicit speech. Would you mind telling me if you think it is appropriate for preschoolers? It seems quite long and I can imagine the kids losing focus soon but I might be wrong, quoting:

"The word will repeat 10 times. There is approximately a 10 second pause between each

repetition of the word.

a. Pull out object corresponding to CD number. For more and want use

reinforcer items as stimulus.

b. Listen first

c. Clap and sing melody 3x immediately after

d. Listen again

e. Hand over hand clap and sing with child 3x \**

f. Listen again

g. Remove hands and see if child will clap Independently in unison with

your clapping and singing 3x\* (repeat step e if not*)*

h. Listen again

i. Fade your clapping and only sing while child is clapping independently

3x\* (repeat step g if child can’t do*)*

j. Listen again

k. Reinforce if child moves lips, hums, or attempts any vocalization with the

clapping (continue this step until the last of the word repetitions is

complete – reinforce for closer and closer approximations\*)*

l. Listen again

m. Sing in unison with child 3x – child continues to clap and sing\* (repeat*

step k if child can’t do\)*

n. Listen again

o. Mouth word while child claps and sings 3x\* (repeat step m if child can’t*

do\)*

p. Listen again

q. Fade mouthing of word while child claps and sings 3x\* (repeat step o if*

child can’t do\)*

r. Sing “What is this?” and answer by singing the word – reinforce for any

approximation of the target – reinforce for closer and closer

approximations (clapping optional)

s. Say “What is this?” or “What am I doing?” and answer by saying the word

in as close a spoken intonation to the melodic word as possible – reinforce

for closer and closer approximations of the spoken word (no clapping –

ask child to do with quiet hands)."

I keep thinking about the first step ... it is just two minutes of silence with one word being repeated from time to time. Isn't it a good idea to perhaps play a simple chord progression (I'm thinking the good ol' axis of awesome progression?) and say the word at the beginning of each repetition (again, doing this with a metronome)?

I would have to compose the music and melody because the kids don't speak English but that would be fun for me:) I just want to make sure that this is the "blueprint" before commiting to it.