BLOG AND PODCAST
Love learning? Us too!
The Sounds Like This BLOG and PODCAST are for families and educators, passionate about positively impacting childhood development.
Whether you’re a confident music-maker or just considering dipping your toes in the water, here you’ll find handy-dandy tips and insights to help you easily connect through music-making.
If you find content you fancy, we’d love you to spread it around like confetti! Really go to town! Share it on your socials, chat with other clever grown-ups who want to make the world a better place. Thanks a bunch in advance!
- Julie and the Sounds Like This Creatives
THE BLOG
We know neuro-research data can be a dry read, so we’ve kept this space non-jargony. That way you’ll gain big takeaways without needing to be a ‘Dr-Music-Boffin’ yourself.
The Link Between Music and Literacy: Can Music Help Your Child Become a Better Reader?
There is a deep connection between music and literacy, with many studies showing that music making can create better readers. Want to know more?
Gross Motor Development in Toddlers + 5 Ways Music Can Help
Motor skill development in toddlers can be a tricky area to navigate as their impulse control catches up to their physical coordination. Therefore, bumps and bruises seem to be an anticipated norm when it comes to gross motor development in toddlers. Research shows that limiting screen time may assist your toddler in developing across each area of development so if they are not sitting still, they’ll naturally be on the move.
The Easiest Things You Can Do to Support Your Child's Musical Development
Musical development has so many benefits for early childhood growth. Implement some of these easy musical activities for 1-2 year olds today.
Nursery Rhymes Really Do Improve Language Development in Early Childhood
The pattern links between language comprehension and music are easy to see when we play with rhymes. Through rhymes, children discover musical form, phrase length, and balance. The beat is steady and rhythm patterns are set by the lyrics.
Remember, you can always check out…
The Risks of Neglecting Music in Early Learning
Music making is immensely beneficial to children as part of their early childhood development. It’s been proven by a multitude of studies. The more we learn, the more we understand the importance of music education in early childhood, yet music making is still pushed to the side or treated as an afterthought in far too many early childhood education (ECE) settings.
This neglect leads to huge missed opportunities. So let’s delve into why we keep missing the mark on music education in early childhood settings, the consequences, and what we can do about it.
Grow your children’s brains with these sound activities for preschoolers
And if you know ANYTHING about us at Sounds Like This, it’s that we embraced ANYTHING that brings positive brain-changing benefits to your children.
Children also benefit when they engage in active musical and sound exploration on their own, here’s how...
My Child Won’t Sit Still
It’s something that we hear a lot, embarrassed parents commenting: “My child is the ONLY one who won’t sit still.” No, they’re not, I promise and it’s OK. There are many children who won’t sit still. Maybe not in your class (or maybe you don’t see them). It might be that in your child’s circle of friends, your child is the only one with ants in their pants. But I promise you…
We LOVE Active Listening Activities for Kids! Here’s Why.
Ever noticed how a space full of little ones can become so calm and united in the act of music-making? There’s a special quality to music-making when you engage in it with your children.
What Is Play-Based Learning?
Ever wondered what the fuss is about with play-based learning? Learn the theory, the benefits of play, and some play-based activities today.
The Best Music for Kids? It’s Not What You Think…
The best music for children’s learning is a diversity of music. Find out how exposing children to LOTS of DIFFERENT music can change their brains.
Setting Up for Success in Your Early Learning Environment
Educators and families have obvious influences on a child’s early life. But did you ever think about the impact physical spaces have on early childhood education?
And when it comes to setting up a space in an early learning classroom, you can make a huge difference as an educator if you embrace the philosophy that the environment is a “third teacher”.
Physical environments in childcare or an early learning setting ARE important. We’ll have a look at why they matter and how you can create an environment to support creativity and education in your ELS.
Recorded Songs for Preschoolers Have No Place in Kids Music Classes! + 5 Fun Replacements
Recorded songs don’t have a place in kids music classes. Find why interactive music making is better + get a list of our fave songs for fresh inspiration.
The Benefits of Bubble Play for Everyone from Babies to Big Kids
Learn how blowing bubbles helps with early childhood development for kids of ALL ages! While you’re here, gain fresh inspiration for new bubble play games!
Using Music for Social Emotional Learning in Your Early Learning Setting
Find out the benefits of music for social-emotional learning & find inspiration with these fun SEL music activities in your early learning setting today.
The Milestones of Musical Development in Early Childhood
Looking out for music milestones as your little one grows? Find out some common milestones & learn how you can nurture their musical growth today.
How to Find a Quality Music Program for Your Early Learning Centre
Find out the benefits of music in early childhood education Find out the benefits of music in early childhood education and learn the 6 signs of a quality music program for little ones.and learn the 6 signs of a quality music program for little ones.
How Singing Can Help Young Minds Grow
Ever wondered if singing to your little one is worth it? Singing boosts cognitive development in many areas of your child’s brain. Find out more today.
THE PODCAST
Music has a powerful way of growing young minds. Join Julie Murray from Sounds Like This and her expert guests in discussing all things heart growing, brain changing and bond building through play and neural understanding.
Scientific research shows that music education has the potential for far greater impact than ‘just’ creating lovely music.
We’re here to empower parents and early years’ educators with the tools and skills to bring music making back into every day learning, because when done insightfully, music making is a positive force in the lives of children and grown-ups.
LATEST EPISODE
Connecting Before Educating with special guest Gavin McCormack from UpSchool.
Gavin McCormack is The Educator's Most Influential Educator 2021, 2022 & 2023, TEDX Speaker, Montessori Australia Ambassador, Best Selling Author, passionate educator and co-founder of Upschool.
Join Gavin and Julie as they discuss the importance of connection within education, and the importance of cultivating child-centred learning experiences for children to thrive.
Episode 5 | Connecting Before Educating
EPISODES
Episode 1
THE POWER OF PLAY
Jo Harris, Play Therapist, Kindergarten educator and Educative Consultant join Julie Murray in the first episode of The Sounds Like This Podcast.
After more than a decade of working with brilliant thinkers and doers in many areas of childhood development, Julie is proud to be opening up important conversations and sharing them with you.
Episode 2
THE MAGIC OF CHILDREN CREATING
Special guest Robyn Monty, Child Art Advocate from Robyn’s Room joins Julie Murray to discuss nurturing a child’s growth mindset, creative art processes and celebrate the journey, not just the final product.
Episode 3
ENHANCING THE PARENT JOURNEY
Join Julie Murray and her guest psychosocial consultant Jyee Byrne from The Wolfpack Life Coach as they dig into the importance of self-awareness and self-regulation for parents. He emphasises that parents need to take care of themselves in order to be able to care for their children.
Episode 4
BRAINS PLAY AND COURAGE
Join Julie Murray and her returning guest
Play Therapist and Early Years Educational Consultant, Jo Harris, as they discuss the importance of play in children's brain development.
Episode 5
CONNECTING BEFORE EDUCATING
In this episode, Julie speaks with Gavin McCormack over Zoom. Gavin is an educator who is passionate about changing how education is delivered and the co-founder of UpSchool, providing inspirational courses,resources and tools for teachers, parents and learners EVERYWHERE.