Sing Today, Read forever!
Singing and music skills are linked with reading.
Singing precedes talking.
Thank you to Vered from BabyinTune
Thank you to Victoria Volz
All children can learn to keep a beat
as well as other basic music skills
Music skills are correlated with reading skills.
SUMMIT
For early childhood, reading, music, education, research, and policy organizations and individuals
Music-Making Matters
Brain Prep for Pre-Readers
Tuesday, October 27, 2026
8:30 am - 1 pm CDT
American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis
Registration coming soon!
KEYNOTE: Dr. Anita Collins
Dr. Collins, PhD in neuroscience / music educator/ global expert on the music-learning brain connection / Bigger Better Brains founder (Australia) / scriptwriter for the viral TEDEd “How Playing an Instrument Benefits your Brain” / TEDxTalk / Author, The Music Advantage: How Music Helps Your Child Develop, Learn, and Thrive.
SESSIONS
How to Use Singing and Basic Music Skills to Develop Young Brains for Reading - Ann Kay, Rock 'n' Read Project
Practitioners Panel - PICA Head Start Education Director Chau Nguyen, MN Teacher of the Year David Davis, and early child educators
Luncheon Discussion
Rock ‘n’ Read Project offers:
Brain Train activities - free!
Use to develop babies’, toddlers’, and preschoolers’ brains for reading
A Song A Day: Brain Prep for Pre-Readers
50 fun, short lessons that develop children’s pre-reading skills
Musical Fitness Assessment - free!
Find out whether children have mastered basic music skills
Presentations and workshops
For early childhood educators and K teachers
Research Bibliography:
Effects of Music-Making on Brain Development and Achievement
11 pages of brain research and other studies