Akademija Let

Gesture and Music supported learning is an innovative way of teaching and developing communication skills with children and adults with communication and learning difficulties. The methods also support those working with these target groups to integrate the groups into learning. Using gestures and music therefore communication is extended to include not just the spoken word, but whole body movement which engages the leader in the learning process and as such also supports the development of focus and concentration. The use of music (and for children also puppets) is also engaging and fun for those learning and leads to improved communication for all. This means that all children benefit from learning these fun, innovative ways of learning and the methods can lead to more integrated classrooms. However the methods can support children who have additional needs or whom are delayed in their language development. One out of 5 children will learn to talk or use words later than other children their age. Some children will also show behavioural problems because they are frustrated when they can't express what they need or want. Using Gestures with Music can therefore aid the development of communication skills through using wider kinaesthetic whole-body methods of communication. This aids confidence and leads to improved communication skills. The methods have also proved to be highly successful in the learning of a second language for children under the age of 6. The methods have been used both with migrant children and with groups of children learning English as a second language. The method uses signs and music as a bridge between languages and greatly provides confidence and knowledge in learning the 2nd language.