Chili Dog Fundraiser Benefits Children with Special Needs in Dexter
18.05.12
Some of Dexter's littlest residents are in need of help.
Families with children in the Early Childhood Special Education program at Cornerstone Elementary School will hold a chili dog fundraiser on Nov. 17 to help pay for a music therapy program for preschool students.
Mike Brownell, a board certified music therapist, said working with students with special needs in Dexter is a vital part of their development process.
"We use music as a tool to build social skills and facilitate learning," Brownell said. "Part of it is teaching the kids songs to engage the problems they may be having. It's entertaining for the kids, but as adults, we see they are doing work in a goal-oriented program."
Brownell said one example is a popular exercise called "The octopus song," in which students imitate Brownell's movements and sounds, which are precursors to spoken language.
"It's amazing to see how far the students progress year after year by the time they graduate to kindergarten," Brownell said.
Source: Patch.com