Unleashing Student Potential at School: Therapeutic Music for Academic and Emotional Growth

Introducing The Listening Program® [TLP] – the game-changing tool that Pinky Parekh, an experienced Occupational Therapist, has used for the past 15 years to help students at her school reach new heights. Discover how TLP has become a school-wide phenomenon, driving academic success and inspiring a belief in student potential. Whether you’re an educator, a therapist, or a parent, learn how you can leverage TLP to make a positive impact on the lives of students in your community.

“TLP rocks my world!” says Pinky. It’s the only phrase she feels accurately describes the benefits of The Listening Program for the elementary, middle, and high school students she serves in a school and her private practice.

Pinky has integrated TLP’s scientifically designed music into her holistic approach with students, and the results have been remarkable. With TLP, students have become more focused, emotionally regulated, and better at comprehending and communicating. They have also achieved higher academic levels than many people thought possible. Pinky insists that the results of The Listening Program stretch far and wide, outweighing the investment of time, effort, and money, which often prevent people from integrating TLP into a school setting.

By focusing on the benefits of TLP, Pinky has created a culture of administrators, teachers, support staff, and parents who may not fully understand the science behind TLP, but who wholeheartedly believe in its benefits. This culture was created over time and is something any parent, teacher, or other professional can replicate to integrate TLP into their schools.

While making this a reality in your school may seem challenging, Pinky offers insights on navigating the process successfully so that others can benefit from her experience. The advantages for students are significant, making the effort to obtain TLP approval a worthwhile investment.

Bringing TLP to Your School to Boost Achievement

Introducing a new program like The Listening Program can be exciting, but getting everyone on board is not always easy. Pinky understood the challenges of finding additional time and resources for TLP, but she also recognized the tremendous benefits it would bring to her students.

To build momentum for the program, Pinky took a different approach by highlighting the positive outcomes TLP could achieve. She spoke to teachers and administrators about how it could improve classroom participation, reduce meltdowns, and promote cooperation. By focusing on the benefits and rallying everyone around a shared vision, Pinky generated excitement and made TLP a reality for her school.

“Nobody wants to believe sound can play an important role in our lives. Once they see it, however, they can’t deny it!” – Pinky Parekh.

To understand the benefits firsthand, Pinky tested TLP on herself, her children, and her first private student. She recalls:

After seeing the impressive results TLP had on her own family and her first client with autism, Pinky shared her experiences and observations with teachers and administrators. They recognized the program’s potential and decided to implement it in the school. The impact TLP had on the students was beyond expectations, and the school has become known for its academic success in the special education program. As a result, there is now a waitlist for parents hoping to enroll their children in the school and start TLP.

OT-Approved: The Listening Program’s Therapeutic Benefits for Students

The benefits of TLP were evident right from the start, with teachers, parents, and support staff recognizing its positive impact on students. They noticed fewer meltdowns and emotional outbursts, increased cooperation, better listening skills, and improved academic growth.

As more teachers saw the benefits, the demand for TLP grew, and some even begged Pinky to place more kids in the program. One teacher described TLP coupled with Occupational Therapy as the ‘magical unicorn’ that educators have been searching for to help their students. Combining cognitive training and therapeutic music created a transformative experience that allowed students to reach their full potential.

Success for a Child with Autism

Over the years, students at the school have experienced many distinct successes with TLP, which has helped everyone believe in it. One recent example is a boy with an autism diagnosis who started kindergarten at 5 ½ years old. He started school in general education, and although he was older than most of his classmates, he wasn’t able to:

• Sit still
• Focus
• Copy a line
• Follow directions
• Hold a pencil in his hand
• Spatial issues
• Calm himself down

The general education setting wasn’t right for him, which he expressed loudly by crying or throwing big tantrums and running around the classroom when one small thing didn’t go his way. It was heartbreaking to see him struggle so much. His parents hoped it was just a phase, but as time passed, it became clear that he needed more support.

Eventually, he was placed in the Special Education Program, and that’s when Ms. Pinky entered his life. She saw his potential and knew that he could succeed with the right tools. His auditory processing and emotional regulation were greatly affected, so she introduced him to TLP, Brain Training, and OT. These were all the missing pieces to his academic and personal success. His classroom teachers couldn’t believe how much he had improved. He was coachable, and his behavior and regulation had changed dramatically.

The changes were not just in the classroom but in every aspect of his life. He was more confident, more social, and happier. His parents saw the progress, and they were overjoyed. They never thought they would see their son thrive like this. Thanks to Ms. Pinky and TLP, he found his place in school and life.

After approximately nine weeks of listening to The Listening Program (TLP) at school for 15 minutes each day, this once-struggling boy has blossomed into an entirely different student and person. It’s hard to describe the joy and amazement that fills everyone’s hearts when such incredible transformations occur.

Now, this little boy can do things that were once impossible for him. He can sit still, write, read, participate in math, retain phonics, follow directions, play with his classmates, manage his impulsive tendencies, and even apologize when he’s wrong. It’s like a weight has been lifted off of him, and he can finally be himself without the struggle and frustration that once consumed him.

But what’s truly remarkable is that his progress is typical for kids who follow the TLP protocol. This is why TLP is seen as a necessary part of a child’s day instead of a burden or extra expense. It’s more than just music. It’s a way to prime and rewire a person’s brain to function optimally. The academic and social benefits seen are undeniable.

Transform the School Day: How to Implement TLP

Integrating TLP into the school day can be a challenging task, but with proper planning and training, it can become an integral part of a student’s daily routine. Pinky had to figure out how to make it accessible to many students in various classes when she was only at the school three days a week. She knew she had to be the one to monitor and individualize each child’s program, but she couldn’t be the one to do the listening sessions with each student every day.

Here are some steps that Pinky took to integrate TLP into the school day:

1. Training support staff: As Pinky could not be present for every listening session, she trained the support staff to help the students with the TLP program. This helps in individualizing each child’s program and ensures that every child is getting the attention they need.
2. Finding a quiet room: Pinky found a quiet room that worked perfectly for listening. This room was small, quiet, and away from distractions to ensure the child could focus on the listening session.
3. Flex time or enrichment time block: Pinky made use of flex time or enrichment time block, which is a period of the school day when students can work on independent projects or assignments. She started by playing the music on the speakers to introduce it and transitioned to headphones for each student. It is the perfect time for listening sessions, as it ensures that students do not miss important classwork.
4. Sensory/motor activities: Pinky made the listening time fun and engaging by starting with a sensory/motor activity to help prepare the child for the listening session and ensure that they are engaged and focused.
5. Incentive system: Pinky set up an incentive system where students work towards rewards after completing TLP and OT work. It helped motivate the students and kept them committed to the program.

In conclusion, integrating TLP into the school day requires careful planning, training, and collaboration between the staff and students. By following the steps mentioned above, it can become an integral part of a student’s daily routine and can help them in achieving their full potential.

A few rewards students have found to be most motivating include:

• “Pinky time” (hanging out in the OT room and doing fun OT activities)
• Playing puzzles
• Play-doh
• Make bracelets
• Doing artwork
• Playing with legos
• Playing brain games
• Swinging on the door swing
• Obstacle courses
• Jumping and crashing on the beanbags

Once a child is set up with regular listening times and begins a listening routine, Pinky meets with the student every other week to ensure they have adjusted well to the program. During these meetings, Pinky monitors the student’s progress and adjusts their program accordingly to ensure they get the most out of their listening sessions.

She says, “The kids usually enjoy the TLP sessions because it feels like a break and a chance to play while getting the sensory time they need. As a result, the kids become invested in the process, so we only usually have to monitor the kids in the lower grades. They want to do the sessions independently as they advance to higher grades because they have experienced the benefits firsthand.”

Changes to Look For: Outcomes and Benefits of TLP

The positive impact of TLP has been evident in the experiences of students, teachers, and parents alike. The results seen in Pinky’s school and private practice are striking and undeniable. After 15 years of using TLP, she has observed the following benefits consistently across a diverse range of clients and age groups:

• Improved sleep patterns
• Better emotional regulation and management
• Enhanced ability to follow directions
• Increased attention span and focus
• Improved cooperation and social skills
• Higher academic performance
• Better speech and language development
• Reduced anxiety and stress
• Happier and more positive outlook
• Improved behavior and self-control

Pinky has successfully used TLP with students at risk of needing special education services. The program was so effective for some of these students that they no longer required any accommodations or special considerations. Additionally, Pinky has seen remarkable progress in students with special education needs, both behaviorally and academically.

The benefits of TLP have allowed these students to surpass expectations and achieve success beyond what was previously thought possible. She hopes other OTs and professionals in schools across the globe will trust the results and make the investments necessary to change the lives of the students they serve.

For professionals considering incorporating TLP into your school’s curriculum, you may wonder if it’s as effective as Pinky’s success story suggests. However, Pinky’s experience is not an isolated case. While she acknowledges that TLP is not the only program she uses, it has proven to be the essential component that ties all the other programs, such as Brain Training and Occupational Therapy, together for maximum success. Her experiences align with findings from formal studies. So, if you want to provide your students with a well-rounded approach to learning, consider integrating TLP into your school’s curriculum.

The Listening Program: An Evidence-Based Solution

Several formal studies have demonstrated the staying power of TLP in improving students’ academic success. Here are three specific examples:

Changes in Auditory Processing After Completing The Listening Program Training
One of the largest published research studies in the field validated that The Listening Program improves auditory processing. The study included over 450 participants aged 5 to 50 and found statistically significant improvements, including filtered words, auditory figure-ground, competing words, and competing sentences. The study concludes that individuals who complete TLP training should expect to see improvements in their auditory processing abilities.

The Effects of The Listening Program on Children with Profound and Multiple Learning Differences. This study highlights the potential of The Listening Program to positively impact students with auditory processing deficits and profound and multiple learning difficulties. In a sample of twelve participants, those who completed TLP showed improved attention and social engagement. Notably, participants with sensory processing difficulties showed the greatest improvement. Both groups also showed an improvement in mood. These findings suggest that TLP could be a valuable tool for improving outcomes for students with auditory processing deficits and related challenges.

Integration of the InTime Technique in the Neurodynamic Program of Assistance to Children with Learning Disabilities
A study conducted at a children’s neurology center has found that the TLP inTime program can significantly improve the effectiveness of interventions aimed at overcoming learning disabilities. This innovative method shows great promise for supporting the learning process of children with learning disabilities, as well as those who may be at risk. The study revealed impressive results, including significant rhythm, attention, motor planning, handwriting, timing, and memory improvements. By helping the body move rhythmically and naturally, the program supports the brain in switching to more automatic internal control, ultimately activating higher levels of functioning for successful learning activities. These findings suggest that the TLP inTime program could be a valuable addition to school-based interventions, helping to prevent and address learning challenges in children of all ages and backgrounds.

A Worthy Investment: Exploring Funding & Scheduling Options

This article, A 3-pronged approach to academic success with music discusses a 3-pronged approach for academic success that addresses students’ social and emotional needs while using an evidence-based therapeutic music intervention for learning recovery. The article highlights The Listening Program as a viable solution for improving grades, focus, attention, and testing skills through its scientifically designed music that supports auditory processing, emotional regulation, and executive functioning in the brain.

Incorporating The Listening Program into school resources is a worthwhile investment. Explore funding opportunities through grants or special programs to cover the program’s cost and consider creative solutions to fit TLP into busy school schedules. When students show improvements in behavior, focus, attention, and academic performance, the benefits of TLP make the investment worth it.

Jennifer Banks, a teacher at Pinky’s school, says emphatically, “Teachers, I say to you from the bottom of my heart that there is no need to worry that The Listening Program is “yet another program” to oversee or implement. Know that it enhances an academic environment.”

Jennifer has witnessed the remarkable benefits of TLP, so she makes it a priority. “I wish I could bottle up the feeling I have when I see the ear-to-ear smiles on students’ faces as they start connecting letters, sounds, and words to form written and oral sentences!”

A number of her 4th and 5th grade students were at kindergarten and first-grade levels in reading and writing skills. She noticed significant improvements in their attention, ability to complete assignments, a new willingness to take risks in reading and writing, and more excitement and engagement in classroom conversations after participating in The Listening Program.

The benefits of TLP will make all sacrifices worthwhile. Starting with just one success story can be the beginning of a school that believes in and regularly utilizes the power of TLP to promote progress for many students, making school more enjoyable and less stressful for everyone.