A positive relationship exists between sensitivity to rhythm and progress in reading.
This post explores the important role of play in emotional development, social connection and classroom engagement and looks at rhythm through the lens of play.
Improving children’s sensitivity to rhythm helps their focus, phonemic awareness, reading fluency, accuracy and comprehension. In this post, I reference rhythm as a natural aspect of our biology and using real examples, demonstrate the importance of making rhythm a priority for lower attaining readers.
What’s the answer when the pressure builds in June? For those fortunate enough to anticipate a restful August, the promise of space and quiet steadies the system. If there’s nothing in the diary, an unspoken unease lingers. Externally, the professional stance continues: curriculum goals, measurable outcomes, maintaining standards. Internally, the longing for steadiness calls quietly. Rhythm bridges that gap. No, it's not a change of direction, but a return to the quiet, steady pulse that brings connection back into the system.
Self regulation may protect disadvantaged children from some of the adverse effects of poverty, by enabling coping skills. It is important that they are supported emotionally and given opportunities to build up their capacity for self-regulation.
“It’s only an hour that they have with your over the time that you come in over the six weeks and for it to be able to make, for a lot of them, up to a year’s difference in their reading ability is quite amazing really.”
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