E35: Harmonizing Speech and Music for Early Childhood Development
What makes Kathy and Chris Baker with VoxTalk a good neighbor?
The intersection of language development and music therapy has created a powerful new approach to early childhood education. VoxTalk, founded by the husband-and-wife team of Chris and Kathy Baker, combines their unique expertise as a speech language pathologist and music therapist to help children develop essential communication skills. Their story began during the pandemic when they witnessed firsthand how integrating music into speech therapy sessions dramatically improved engagement and results with their young clients.
The power of music in language development cannot be overstated. As Kathy explains, music engages multiple areas of the brain simultaneously, supporting not just language but memory, emotion, and movement. The patterned, predictable nature of music—especially nursery rhymes—creates a perfect learning environment for young children. When a child can anticipate patterns in music, they become more motivated and engaged in the learning process. This natural engagement is precisely what makes VoxTalk's approach so effective for children from birth to three years old, their primary target demographic. The combination of rhythm, melody, and repetition creates neural pathways that facilitate language acquisition in ways traditional speech therapy alone might not achieve.
One of the most persistent myths in early childhood development is the concern that teaching sign language might delay verbal communication. Chris addresses this directly, explaining that sign language actually supports verbal development because parents simultaneously use spoken words while signing. Since verbal communication remains the primary mode in our society, children naturally transition to spoken language when ready. Similarly, many parents worry about their singing abilities when incorporating music into language development. Kathy reassures parents that vocal talent is unnecessary—the connection formed during musical play with your child matters far more than perfect pitch. This accessibility is central to VoxTalk's philosophy: empowering parents to become their children's most effective teachers regardless of musical background.
VoxTalk offers multiple resources for parents concerned about their child's language development, including an online course and two rhyming sign language books. Their approach emphasizes parental involvement rather than passive screen time, encouraging meaningful interactions between caregivers and children. As parents of three young children themselves, Chris and Kathy understand the challenges modern parents face. Their professional expertise, combined with personal experience, allows them to create practical, effective strategies for families. By teaching parents to take charge of their child's development through education and knowledge, VoxTalk builds stronger connections between caregivers and children, setting the foundation for lifelong communication skills and learning.
The Bakers' personal journeys have shaped their professional mission in meaningful ways. Chris's experience with ADHD has given him unique insight into learning differences and an intense focus on his passion for helping children develop. Kathy balances motherhood with entrepreneurship, running both VoxTalk and a brick-and-mortar therapy practice. These challenges have prompted valuable self-reflection about parenting, business, and creating models that work for their family. Their authenticity and relatability set VoxTalk apart in the early childhood education space. For parents seeking to support their child's language development through evidence-based, engaging methods, VoxTalk offers a fresh approach that harnesses the natural power of music and movement to unlock communication potential in even the youngest children.
To learn more about VoxTalk go to:
VoxTalk
(208) 340-5640
