(The R.T. Garcia Early Childhood Winter Conference is Jan. 27, right around the corner. This year the conference includes sessions for children birth to 3. Get a glimpse of the valuable resources you’ll receive by attending with our series of featured teacher tips from our superb presenters!) #ECWC18

Dr. Mike, or Mike Longoria, promotes movement to help children acquire language skills. Clapping patterns can help children conquer complex language patterns.

Lesson: Have kids get in groups of two (and later larger groups) and play hand-clapping games like “Patty Cake” while chanting to popular nursery rhymes. These might include “One,Two Buckle My Shoe,” “Five Little Monkeys,” etc. Change clapping patterns to more difficult patterns once students are able to keep the steady beat with traditional hand clapping. (Lesson from http://www.funclapping.com.)

Attend Dr. Mike’s “Music, Movement and Learning” session at the Early Childhood Winter Conference Saturday, Jan. 27, at the Kingdom Builder’s Center, 6011 West Orem.

Session description: Music and movement make learning fun. More importantly, experiencing it during the early years is necessary for wiring developing brains. Singing, chanting, gestures, signing and physical movement develop school readiness skills that lead to early school success. Furthermore, this approach meets the needs of all children, regardless of their linguistic, physical, emotional, cognitive or social challenges.

Learn more about the conference and register at www.hcde-texas.org/ECWC .