Lifting Kiwi Kids Learning Through Listening

4 May 2006

Lifting Kiwi Kids Learning Through Listening

An inspiring New Zealand business is empowering Kiwi preschoolers by teaching them how to listen with a fun new set of audio CDs that feature everyday New Zealand sounds.

Designed for 1-4 year olds, Eardrop's Journeys is a unique set of children's audio CDs, offering a totally different approach to traditional media products that focus on visual learning. The two CDs 'Sounds of the Country' and 'Sounds of the City' focus on aural learning, and they are another New Zealand world first. Each CD tells a half hour story with gentle funny sounds and age-appropriate audio cues (for example"what can you hear?")

The Eardrops Company recognises that listening is an essential life skill. It is one of the main pathways of communication. 'Eardrop's Journey: Sounds of the Country' and 'Eardrop's Journey: Sounds of the City' are designed to teach young children not only the thirty sounds on the CD, but how to listen to them.

New Zealand preschoolers need to develop this skill as early as they can. Around twenty percent of children are auditory learners, preferring this learning style over visual or kinaesthetic. However, every kiwi preschooler benefits from having good listening skills before they get to kindergarten, then school.

Liz Donnelly, The Eardrops Company founder, says "My son's love of sounds, speech and noises led me to realise there was nothing available quite like Eardrop's Journeys - a simple story with everyday sounds. I wanted to be able to offer him a learning tool that reflected his world, not an American or British one."

The CDs are supported by resources for parents and teachers, plus games and activities for children, on www.eardrops.co.nz.

"A refreshing example of creativity bringing familiar environmental sounds to children through the delightful character 'Eardrop'. Will appeal to children in both home and educational settings" Kathy McLeigh Early Childhood/ Early Intervention Teacher

-ends- Notes to the editor:

The founder of The Eardrops Company is Liz Donnelly - Children's Media Specialist (MA - Film, Television and Media). Liz has a background in television and has worked for TVNZ as a Children's Programmer, Children's Media Analyst, and on a variety of television productions. She currently writes for Littlies parenting magazine ( www.littlies.co.nz) and is a single mother to an energetic little boy.

Liz is available for interview - suggested topics include learning through listening, children's new media, or preschoolers and the way they use media.

May Special - CD double pack just $50. Free postage. In addition every order in May goes in the draw to win a fantastic child sized Eardrops beanbag. To purchase Eardrop's Journeys visit www.eardrops.co.nz

ENDS

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