The Unbeatable Combo of Music and Language Learning for Kids
Day 11 TA-DA! Community Bilingual Blogathon with Rafa Sardina
Rafa Sardina, in the heart of his studio, where language and music converge
Introducing Rafael "Rafa" Sardina: The Musical Virtuoso Behind Icons — Now Tuning Into Your Child's Language Journey
By Michelle Glorieux, Founder & CEO of TA-DA! Language Productions
The story behind my startup is so incredulous that it actually won us "Startup Stories Startup of the Year" in a European country.
You see, TA-DA! started with just little ol’ me - a simple girl who grew up with one little ol’ language in Nashville, Tennessee and discovered her passion for languages and the diverse ways we humans live. I pursued this dream with every ounce of gumption in my body.
My journey took me across four continents, where I taught English and French to children from diverse backgrounds, some affluent and others without even a daily warm meal.
Now I find myself having settled in Europe, where I’m married to a multilingual, and raising our nine-year-old as such, even though two of his daily languages are not native to me. This would ultimately be the final catalyst to propel me to my rightful spot of building TA-DA!, an early language learning company for children that harnesses the power of smart paper to bring native speakers’ voices and customs to families.
This adventure has been beyond anything I could have imagined, and honestly, still humbles me. Although we’re only getting started, as I’ve most definitely learned, building a company from the ground up is nowhere near a quick feat, nor for the faint of heart!
My startup TA-DA! would go on to be chosen by the legal team that helped launch both Apple and Google and welcome the (absolutely incredible!) brains behind codeSpark (now called Begin Learning) and Melissa and Doug Toys (who is now spearheading Lifelines) as advisors.
I had the privilege of meeting an actual prince (yes, the monarchy kind!); personally handing him one of our talking language adventure books for his little prince.
Later, I would find myself surrounded by some of the most influential music makers, including Jesse Lewis, the 4x Grammy award-winning producer of Yo-Yo Ma. Together, we produced 16 talking books in 5 different languages (that recently hit our warehouses). You’ll find them in the TA-DA! shop.
But the tale would not stop there. I would be introduced to another musical legend, but not just any legend, but one of the greatest of all time. Enter Rafael, A.K.A. ‘Rafa’ Sardina, 18x Grammy winner, Grammy Board Governor, and musical maker of legends. His incredible lineup of discography, like Lady Gaga’s "Born this Way"or Michael Jackson’s “Xscape”, have undoubtedly touched many lives. I know he did mine.
My path crossed his and I knew I had to have him. It was beyond clear to me that he was the perfect soul to further TA-DA!'s mission of transforming early language education for children - making it age appropriate, effective - and accessible from birth.
For more about our journey, including my flight to the U.S. just for a coffee with Rafa to make clear my extreme dedication, read more here.
Today, I'd like to shine the spotlight on the incredible power of music to enhance your child’s language journey.
Have you ever watched a child's eyes light up when their favorite song comes on the radio? Imagine knowing that the very maestro behind those melodies is now crafting tunes to guide your child's language exploration. Thrilled? So am I.
Rafa isn’t just another name in the music industry; he's a legend, crafting music for icons and producing scores for films featuring talents like Tom Hanks and Disney - and lucky for all of us, he cares deeply about education and bridging cultures.
At TA-DA!, Rafa is more than our Music Director; he's our guiding star. His expertise ensures that what we introduce to your child isn't just a tune but an engaging experience that has your child on cloud 9 - while seamlessly bringing them a new language and culture.
Please join me in welcoming Rafa to TA-DA! - and your family’s toolbox of language learning resources. With Rafa on board, we're bridging the world of top-tier music with revolutionary early language education.
Without further ado, let’s hear from the man himself!
Warmly,
Michelle
The Unbeatable Combo of Music and Language Learning for Kids
By Rafael "Rafa" Sardina, Producer/Mixer/Engineer; Grammy’s Board Governor and now, Music Director at TA-DA! Language Productions
A pensive moment captures Rafa, the master in his creative sanctuary.
Music has been the core of my life’s work. Every album I've touched tells its story, but beyond the studio, it represents a world of emotions and connections.
Why I Joined TA-DA!
Michelle’s vision for TA-DA! resonated with me. Besides her admirable persistence, Michelle’s approach is innovative.
By blending sound, music, and learning, she's spotlighting the transformative power of integrated experiences.
I've always believed every child should experience the benefits of a bilingual world, and TA-DA! is making that a reality – in a way that is best for children: immersive-multi-sensorial rich, musical, and imaginative. (Just look at the little baby in the snippet below if there’s any doubt in your mind.)
Late-night in London, where Michelle, her husband, and Rafa forge the future of TA-DA!, fresh from a Star Wars recording session.
My Personal Journey with Music and Language
The man behind the music. © Rafa Sardina
Music and language share deep roots in the human spirit, and I was fortunate to experience this interplay early on.
Moving from Spain to America in my early adulthood to pursue my love of music meant a new language and culture.
My education at Full Sail University immersed me in the profound relationship between sound and story.
Beyond the technical aspects, it was about understanding the emotion behind every note. Later, raising my son in this new language and culture, in addition to my own, cemented my belief: language is more than words; it connects cultures, emotions, and stories.
Why Music Matters in Bilingual Education
In the zone—Rafa laser-focused on creating the perfect blend of music and language.
Music and language share a deep bond.
I think we all see and feel it, but science actually backs it.
Research from prestigious institutions like the Juilliard School demonstrates that children exposed to music alongside language education display heightened cognitive functions.
Their brains, stimulated by both elements, evolve in unique ways, fostering creativity and linguistic proficiency.
Music has the unique ability to evoke emotions and memories like nothing else.
Just as a song can transport you back to a moment in time, it can also assist in language retention.
We at the Grammys believe that music is essential to human development and evolution.
This engaged class explores our Talking Dictionary, enriched with pronunciations by two dozen native speakers and cultural music.
The rhythmic patterns and melodic structures in music mirror the phonetic patterns in language.
This similarity assists in making bilingual education more engaging and memorable. I’m talking about enjoying the learning process.
We all deserve that, but our kids even more.
While the Grammys celebrate this union, the Grammy Music Education Coalition takes a step further, infusing classrooms with music and underscoring the essential link between music and education.
How to Bring the Power of Music Home to Language Learning
© Victor Wooten, the maestro whose techniques inspire our musical language journey.
Five-time Grammy winner, Victor Wooten, suggests in this enlightening TED-Ed talk that we approach music the same way we learn verbal language. He champions frequent practice and learning from mistakes.
This ethos aligns perfectly with language learning, where consistent practice and embracing imperfections can accelerate mastery.
There can be a lot of pressure on our kids, too much pressure.
A playful approach to music - and language learning - can be life changing.
I encourage you to listen in to delve deeper.
Preserving Heritage Through Music
Music isn’t merely a form of entertainment; it’s a repository of our collective stories and histories. Each rhythm, each note captures the essence of civilizations, telling tales of joy, sorrow, love, and hope.
As a proud contributor to diverse albums, I've witnessed music's capacity to be a bridge, not only through words and grammar but also as a vessel of cultural narratives.
Flor de Toloache, the sensational female mariachi band, one of Rafa's many Grammy wins
For parents and educators eager to amplify their child's or student's learning experience, here's a tip: Expose your children to a myriad of musical genres from around the world. It might be a Balinese Gamelan, Brazilian Samba, or Senegalese Mbalax.
Even if it's unfamiliar or not to your taste, this musical exploration can foster global awareness, tolerance, and curiosity in your child. I’m truly convinced this makes our kids not only more kind, but more confident in who they are.
Through ‘Rafa’s Corner’, I'll be your guide in this exploration, helping you discover the diverse sounds of our world.
Rafa’s Corner: A New Offering for Our Families
We've recently launched a special section on our website, tadalanguages.com, dedicated to incorporating music into your daily routines and learning experiences.
From morning rituals to car ride sing-alongs, let the symphony of languages enrich your family’s journey.
Here’s a taste of what’s in store:
Tips for Using Music in Your Child’s Language Learning
Listen Actively: Engage deeply with the lyrics, just like a song.
Read Along: Play songs on your phone and follow along with the text.
Sing Along: Amplify retention by vocalizing the words.
Explore Different Genres: Dive into diverse musical worlds to uncover linguistic nuances (and feed your soul!).
Fun Activities & Games
Translate and Sing: Transform popular songs into your target language with the help of a translator like Google Translate.
Lyric Challenge: Fill in the blanks after listening to a song. You can create your own, or try a website like Lyric Gaps that does it for you.
Essential Tools & Toys
Karaoke Machines: Karaoke is always a crowd pleaser. (What kid doesn’t like using a microphone?) Singing in a new language really takes the fun to a new height.
Language Learning Apps with Displayed Song Lyrics: Download and sing what you hear!
Curated Playlists
Click here for a Spotify playlist by Rafa, “TA-DA! Kids - 2 hours of kid bliss in both English and Spanish, or access it below:
Step inside Rafa's studio in this exclusive VIP tour and witness how TA-DA!'s magical music comes to life!
Stay tuned to #RafasCorner for more personalized playlists, insights, and tips to ignite a lifelong passion for language learning in your child.
Join our community to enrich your child's learning journey. You’ll get updates from Rafa’s Corner and the TA-DA! Community.
The Symphony of Learning — Where Kids, Books, and Music Unite!
Who Knew Language Learning Could Be SO Good?
