Music Therapy to Promote Language and Communication Development in the Young Child: Therapeutic Applications of American Sign Language and Music

Date: November 6, 2025 (7-8:15PM EST / 4-5:15PM PST)

Speaker: Lora Heller

Hosted by: Dr. Scott Mesh

Format: Online Webinar (Interactive)

Target Audience: Early Childhood Teachers, Therapists, and Professionals who work with Young Children

- Join for FREE: get a Certificate of Attendance at the end.

- CE Certificate/CEUs $9

○ 1.0 CTLE CE Hours (CE Certificate)

○ 1.0 NYSED SW CE Hours (CE Certificate)

○ 1.0 NYSED OT CE Hours (CE Certificate)

○ 1.0 NYSED PT CE Hours (CE Certificate)

○ 0.1 ASHA CE Credits (via ASHA Registry)

○ 1.0 ASWB CE Hours (CE Certificate)

REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN CE Certificate/CEUs:

○ You MUST attend the webinar from start to finish

○ You MUST fill out the attendance form (will be sent via email)

○ You MUST answer & submit the evaluation form after the webinar (will be sent via email)

Failure to fulfill requirements may result in delays receiving your certificate/credits, or in some cases, non-receipt of your certificate/credits.

Webinar Description:

This presentation explores different tools and strategies to support language acquisition and communication skills in young children. By integrating American Sign Language (ASL) with music based activities, early childhood teachers, therapists, and other professionals working with young children can create a multi-sensory learning environment that enhances language comprehension and expressive communication. Participants will learn about evidence-based strategies, developmental milestones in early childhood communication, and how combining rhythm, melody, and movement with ASL can foster engagement, social interaction, and cognitive growth. Practical examples, case studies, and interactive demonstrations will offer attendees valuable techniques they can apply in therapeutic, educational, or home settings to encourage meaningful communication in young learners.

Objectives:

The participants will be able to…

1. Describe one way music therapy can promote early language and communication development in young children.

2. Explain at least one benefit of integrating American Sign Language (ASL) with music in therapeutic and educational settings.

3. List one or more song(s) that support a specific area of language development for Deaf or hearing children.

4. Identify at least one area of the brain that processes music and one that processes language.

Speaker's Bio

Lora Heller, MS, LCAT, MT-BC developed Baby Fingers in 2000 after her son Zeke began to sign at 6 1/2 months old! Read their story. She is a music therapist and teacher of the Deaf; Lora is also a certified educator of infant massage (CEIM). In addition to directing Baby Fingers, Lora provides music psychotherapy at the Motherhood Center in NYC and she is Special Projects Coordinator and Adjunct Instructor in Music Therapy at Molloy University on Long Island. As part of the ‘Molloy Mission,’ Lora spent time in Jamaica providing music therapy to teen girls in a safe-house. Her Reflections on Practice was published in Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy in Summer, 2021. You can find her podcast in imagine early childhood music therapy online journal about her work with Peter, a young child with Fragile X Syndrome who used ASL as a primary means to communicate.

Lora is author of Sign Language ABC, Sign Language for Kids: A Fun and Easy Guide to American Sign Language, and Baby Fingers: Teaching your Baby to Sign (board book series) with Sterling Publishers, and the ASL Content Consultant for the 2nd series of Story Time with Signs & Rhymes picture books written by Dawn Babb Prochovnic (Abdo/Magic Wagon). She served as the technical editor for Baby Sign Language by Diane Ryan (DK Books/Penguin Random House). Her picture book, Adventures with Opal: The Muggy, Buggy Day was released in February. Lora has also written for national parenting magazines. She is a frequent presenter at music therapy and early childhood conferences and the on-line expert for various parenting programs.

Host's Bio

Dr. Mesh is a clinical psychologist and the co-author of the book “Early Childhood Assessment: A Practical Guide to Psychological and Developmental Evaluations in the Early Intervention Program.” He has worked with families for over 30 years. Dr. Mesh is the Co-Founder and CEO of Los Niños Services, an award-winning Early Childhood Special Education program in New York City, and the Founder of Young Child Learning which provides professional development to teachers and all professionals working with young children. He consults with professionals and parents on the challenges they face in helping young children achieve their full potential. Dr. Mesh is the author of upcoming book Tapas: Tasty Inspirational Poems(www.inspire.nyc).

Cancellation Policy:

If you cancel within 30 days before the event, the registration fee is not refundable. However, you will receive a credit for the registration fee which can be applied to another Young Child Learning event within the following 12 months. The processing fee is non-refundable.

Special Accommodations or Requests.

Individuals with disabilities in need of special accommodations should contact the Admin, Cari Laroza at (212) 787-9700 ext. 3330 to make a request. The Admin will work with the team to provide the necessary accommodations. Requests for special accommodations must be made at least a month prior to the webinar date. Once accommodations are found, the Admin will confirm need for accommodations. Once the individual confirms, the special accommodations will be secured. If the individual finds that he or she is no longer in need of the accommodations, he or she must contact the Admin a week before the webinar date.

Grievance Policy & Procedure

Young Child Learning will comply with all legal and ethical responsibilities to be non-discriminatory in promotional activities, program content and in the treatment of program participants. The monitoring and assessment of compliance with these standards will be the responsibility of Young Child Learning. All grievances must be submitted in writing (via e-mail or mail) within 30 days of the end of the webinar date. Any supporting documents must be included with the submitted complaint. For all grievances, contact information (name, phone number, and email) must be provided in the case that the Young Child Learning team may need clarification.

Submit complaints in writing to Young Child Learning, 505 8th Avenue, Floor 12A Room 02, New York, NY 10018 or via email at learn@youngchildlearning.com. If you have any additional questions or concerns, contact Cari Laroza at (212) 787-9700 ext. 333 or at learn@youngchildlearning.com

This webinar is presented by Young Child Learning & sponsored by Los Niños Services.

About Young Child Learning

Young Child Learning (YCL) organizes Early Childhood Webinars. The mission of YCL is to help all early childhood professionals learn, grow, and help young children get a good start in life and achieve their full potential. YCL carries on the tradition of the Young Child Expo and Conference.

About Los Niños Services

Los Niños Services is an award-winning multilingual agency that has been serving young children with developmental delays and autism for 25 years. Los Niños is one of the leading early chilhood special education providers in NYC and surrounding communities. Los Niños serves all children and families from all communities providing services such as the Early Intervention Program, Preschool Special Education, & Private Services/ABA Private Insurance Services.

If you have further questions, contact Cari Laroza (Administrator) at learn@youngchildlearning.com

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