Effect of Sing and Speak 4 Kids: An Online Music-Based Speech and Language Learning Game for Children in Early Intervention

Oct 15, 2026

Music-based speech language interventions show promise for young children with autism, other speech and language deficits, and dual language learners. This study assessed the preliminary effectiveness of Sing and Speak 4 Kids (SS4Kids), an online music-based game, with 26 children aged 2–6 years, trained over 2 weeks in clinic-only, home-only parent, or combined teacher+parent conditions. Trained target-word production improved significantly from pre- to posttest, without differential benefit across group conditions. Results support SS4Kids as an effective online practice for early intervention outcomes, including both clinic and parent mediation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages17

Reading Time43 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Speech & language learning

Music perception

Effect of Sing and Speak 4 Kids: An Online Music-Based Speech and Language Learning Game for Children in Early Intervention Hayoung A Lim Department of Music, Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA Erica M Ellis Department of Communication Disorders, California State University, Los Angeles, California, USA David Sonnenschein iQsonics LLC, Santa Monica, CA, USA Child Language Teaching and Therapy 2022, Vol. 38(2) 180–196 © The Author(s) 2022 Article reuse guidelines: [sagepub.com/journals-permissions](sagepub.com/journals-permissions)[ ](sagepub.com/journals-permissions)[DOI: 10.1177/02656590221080308](DOI: 10.1177/02656590221080308)[ ](DOI: 10.1177/02656590221080308)[journals.sagepub.com/home/clt](journals.sagepub.com/home/clt) Abstract Music-based speech language interventions have shown promise to support young children with autism, other speech and language deﬁcits, and Dual Language Learners (also known as DLL, English Language Learners, or ELL). Online edtech learning programs may produce greater positive outcomes for children by including parents as mediators of the intervention. This study measured the preliminary effectiveness of Sing and Speak 4 Kids (SS4Kids), a music-based online speech and language development game, administered to 26 children ages 2–6 years old with or at risk for a diagnosis of autism, other speech and language deﬁcits or DLL. The children were trained in early intervention settings across 4–6 sessions over a 2-week period in one of three group conditions: (a) teacher only in clinic; (b) parent only at home; (c) both teacher +parent. Measurement of verbal production of target words in pre-and post-training sessions showed that trained words signiﬁcantly improved from pre-test to posttest Additionally, there was no effect of different group conditions (teacher only vs. parent only vs. both teacher + parent) on children’s performance. Results suggest that the SS4Kids program is an effective music-based speech and language training method for supporting target word production in young children across a two week timespan. Importantly, the results also found that group conditions did not inﬂuence the improvement, conﬁrming effectiveness of both clinic and home-based parent mediation. During a time when traditional in-person intervention services may be restricted, the current work provides cautious but emerging evidence of the effectiveness of an online edtech evidence-based practice to support the speech and language outcomes for a variety of children in early intervention. Corresponding author: David Sonnenschein, iQsonics LLC, 1127 18th St \#4, Santa Monica, CA 90403, USA. Email: [david@iqsonics.com](david@iqsonics.com) Keywords speech, language, music therapy, intervention, telepractice, online learning, edtech, autism, children, parents Introduction Due to the Coronavirus pandemic that began in 2020, there has been an increased and accelerated use of digital online service delivery, also known as telepractice, in the education and healthcare ﬁelds, including those that support for young children with developmental disabilities, disorders, or at risk for developmental delays and their families. Personnel in educational systems, early childhood health care providers, clinical practitioners and families have all had to adjust to new or alternative methods to support the needs of their students and children (Hao et al., 2021; Tambyraja et al., 2021). More than 1 million U.S. preschool children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Intellectual Disability (ID), or “at risk” are impacted by speech-language delays (CDC, 2020). Children with speech and language delays or disorders often have difﬁculty learning and using words, following directions, answering questions, and participating in conversations depending on the level of severity of their diagnosis. The usage of digital technology can make pediatric speech therapy more engaging and provide mult

FAQs

What is Sing and Speak 4 Kids (SS4Kids) and who is it for?

SS4Kids is an online, music-based speech and language development game designed for young children (ages 2–6) with or at risk for autism, other speech and language deficits, or dual language learning needs.

How was SS4Kids delivered in the study?

Children received training in early intervention settings across 4–6 sessions over a 2-week period in one of three group conditions: teacher only in clinic, parent only at home, or both teacher and parent.

Did the study find differences between teacher-only, parent-only, and combined groups?

Target-word production improved from pre-test to posttest, but group condition did not significantly affect performance, indicating effectiveness across clinic and home-based parent mediation.

Oct 15, 2026

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