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Bringing Together Music, Reading, and Health
The Center for Functional Learning

Browse resources and guest contributions on the benefits of music, health literacy, brain development, mindfulness and other trending topics on early childhood development and literacy.
Promoting Health Literacy for Pediatric Patients in the Time of COVID-19
Carmen MalecAugust 7, 2020
Health and safety protocols have changed the patient experience in the time of COVID-19. This is necessary, of course, to protect clinicians, staff, and patients from potential exposure. But gone are the warm fuzzies of the visit, even in many pediatric settings. Shorter visits and limited facetime can have more lasting effects on patient and...
Music Vocabulary to Build Lesson Plans for Early Childhood and Elementary School Students
Carmen MalecAugust 3, 2020
Music educators, PreK and early elementary school teachers are always looking for creative ways to enrich their students’ learning. When it comes to music lesson plans, though, it can be a challenge to find resources that build music vocabulary. Building young students’ understanding of music vocabulary is important. It gives them words to talk...
Small Businesses Doing Big Things: Center for Functional Learning
Carmen MalecJuly 24, 2020
Storytelling is essential to being human. As writer Phillip Pullman puts it, “After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.” Follow our latest success story of Small Businesses Doing Big Things: Center for Functional Learning! Stories are also a powerful way to help children learn the essential skills...
Encourage Reading with a Book Stash for Young Readers
Carmen MalecJuly 23, 2020
Question: What is one of the best ways to keep your child busy and safe at home? Answer: Your book stash. As the weeks of social distancing stretch into months, and our “new normal” doesn’t look any more normal, millions of parents all over the US are looking for ways to accomplish three things:...
Raise the Line Podcast to Feature Ken Korber
Carmen MalecJuly 21, 2020
Listen to the podcast HERE. What are physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) learning about patient care and the novel coronavirus in the COVID-19 pandemic? Ken Korber is going to share his perspective on these very questions as featured guest in an upcoming Raise the Line podcast on July 23. In addition to heading...