Testimonials We received an email from Joanne, a paraprofessional in a preschool class for children with autism, who wrote additional verses using the tune from the Monkey Song in our Imitation Exploration CD Set. We are thrilled to share these creative verses with you and are very grateful to Joanne for sending them to us. Here is her email and song:I am a paraprofessional in a preschool autism class. Because one of our students is working on speech goals of the M, D, and B sounds, I used your Monkey Song and added two more verses! “Doggie, doggie digging a hole. Doggie, doggie, he’s hiding a bone.Bow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. Bow, wow, wow, wow, wow (your turn)Bow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. Bow, wow, wow, wow, wow.Doggie, doggie, doggie. He’s digging a hole. Baby, baby beating on a drum. Baby, baby, having lots of fun.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. l (Your turn)1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom.Baby, baby, baby. He’s beating on a drum.” Joanne Goodwin What I love about this project is how it addresses so many areas that are important in communicating with others, like turn-taking, vowel/consonant sounds, vocabulary, greetings, and basic concepts. It keeps the children engaged in every song by having them speak and sing, and has lots of repetition for the kids to both learn and practice their new skills. This project was tons of fun, and kids will love it! Chryss Altamirano, M.S./CCC-SLP I was very enthusiastic about being a part of this CD project! I have used Kids’ Express Train materials in English with tremendous results and felt there was a huge need for similar materials in Spanish. I am a bilingual speech-language pathologist who has worked in California for 27 years as both a speech-language pathologist and an elementary school teacher. I’ve worked extensively with Hispanic children and their families. These CDs are unique in their frequent repetition of sounds and words, slow tempo, and the accompanying picture sheets. I hope you will enjoy using them as much as I have enjoyed translating and writing some of the songs. Susan G. Lazerson-Ross, M.A.-CCC-SLPI have a new favorite song: “I See a Bug”. I’m doing my bug unit this week in my classroom groups, and this is the first time I’ve used the song. I made the book, also printed and laminated the colored bugs, and we swatted them with fly swatters (which I think was one of your suggested activities!). I couldn’t believe the engagement and participation of the kids — the less verbal kids as well as the more verbal ones. And you should’ve heard them saying “hugga hugga hugga hugga who?”! Who woulda thunk it? The teachers really liked the song, as well. You are too clever! Carol HansonI can’t tell you how much mileage I’ve gotten from your music, and I haven’t even used half of the songs yet. I’ve made “books”, flashcards, and a complete snowman outfit, even though we are in California where it never snows! I do circle time every day with a total of 4 different classes including 2 autism intensive classes. I can’t think of working without your music! The children can be hard to motivate. Now, when they see me, they say, “puppy!” or “ball”. One little darling who is nonverbal now signs “ball” whenever he sees me! One student does a monkey vocalization to request the Monkey Song, although she is nonverbal and tends to be unmotivated. Also, I have the pictured song board choices on a speech generating device, and I have an entire group of 3 and 4 year old children with autism RAISING THEIR HANDS to pick a song!!! The best part of using the music is that I can get tons of responses in each song: for puppy, everyone either does the actions or is given physical assistance to do them. The Monkey Song has everyone vocalizing, as does the Bye Song. Oh yes, I’ve also turned on the infant program and two district programs to your music. Did I mention I have two bags of beanie baby monkeys and puppies so I can ask, “Who wants a big one/little one, blue puppy,” etc. It’s terrific! Mona I work in a K-6 elementary public school setting and also do private home therapy. I have enjoyed using all of your CDs and materials! I have always been able to find more than one song and activity to use with my students. The activities have helped me work on following directions, requesting, articulation skills, etc. The Hi song has become the opener for a group that I co-teach with an Occupational Therapist and another SLP. One of my students who is basically non verbal will attempt more verbalizing and work on turn taking when I use your songs and the activity cards from the CD. I am starting to see more joint attention when using these songs with one of my students in our autism program. The slower pace and repetition help my students focus and enjoy the activities. They are now also enjoying using the magnets along with the activity pages. I look forward to each new product that is introduced! Cindy Meester M.S., CCC-SLP