Dr Marion LongDiscover how a neuroscientist and a world-class composer collaborated to create rhythm-based music resources that transform reading for children aged 5–15. The story behind Rhythm for Reading.
Dr Marion LongIn this reflective post, Marion draws on her own journey from experienced teacher to researcher and unpacks what 'real research' in schools really means: evidence grounded in reality, triangulated, and strengthened through scrutiny.
Dr Marion LongImproving 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.
Dr Marion LongIt is ten years since the publication of: ‘Does music training enhance literacy skills?’ The authors described a ‘rapidly accumulating body of evidence’ and listed reports of significant associations between musical training and language skills.
“It’s only an hour that they have with you 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.” Year 3 teacher
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