268 Emily Cadiz: What If Music Isn’t a Bonus—but the Brain’s Gateway to Reading?

Hey Friends~  Most of us don’t remember what it felt like to learn language for the very first time as young children. We focus so much on letters, books, and what children see—but are we overtraining eyes while undertraining ears? After experiencing a brain injury that forced her to relearn language from the beginning, today’s guest, Emily Cadiz, gained a life-changing understanding of what it truly feels like to struggle with communication and learning. As a music professional already working in special education, she turned to music during her recovery to help regain movement, speech, language, and reading — ultimately leading her into NIH research exploring music’s impact on children’s language and literacy development. In this episode, we explore the powerful connection between music, the brain, communication, and learning. You’ll hear why music is such a natural pathway for language development and discover simple ways parents can use rhythm, movement, chanting, and song in everyday life to support children’s speech, language, and early literacy skills. Always cheering you on!  Dinalynn CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  hello@thelanguageofplay.com WEBSITE:  https://www.thelanguageofplay.com/ Have a QUESTION or COMMENT? Leave a voice message!  https://castfeedback.com/play   👉 Sign up for Speech & Language Support for Preschool Families: https://www.thelanguageofplay.com/store/p/summer-speech-language-support-for-preschool-families     WE WON!! 🎉 THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOTE FOR WOMEN PODCASTERS AWARDS!!  The Language of Play won in the category of “Lifestyle Podcasts.”  Here is the link to the awards presentation: https://www.womenpodcasters.com/awards-ceremony-2026?sc=412250821ef30e36edee7e7f6ad9785ad479446a6   ABOUT THE GUEST:  Emily Cadiz is an educator, researcher, and founder of Prelude Early Learning with more than 20 years of experience in early childhood education, language acquisition, and early literacy. She created the Prelude Learning System and Prelude Partners, a music-to-literacy model that helps young children build strong language and reading foundations through play-based, research-informed instruction. Emily’s work has been recognized through an NIH-funded SBIR research grant studying how music-based learning supports early brain and literacy development. She has partnered with Head Start programs, early learning hubs, and multilingual communities to expand access to engaging, equitable learning tools. A Columbia University alumna, Emily is passionate about helping educators and families give children the communication and literacy skills they need to thrive. CONTACT THE GUEST:    @preludeearlylearning - IG prelude early learning - FB @preludeearlylearning - LinkedIn    IF YOU LIKED THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL WANT TO LISTEN TO THESE EPISODES: 267 Luba Patlakh: Snip or Skip? Navigating the Tongue Tie Controversy 266 Sarah James: What Do Speech Sounds Have to Do With Reading? 248 Dr. Emily Levy: Effectively Teach Reading with Orton Gillingham & Multi-Sensory Techniques 239 Marsha Familaro Enright: Montessori? Learn how A Curiosity-Led System Works! WE’VE MADE IT EASY FOR YOU!  Love this podcast?  Let us know!  https://lovethepodcast.com/play Follow & subscribe in 1-click!  https://followthepodcast.com/play To SPONSOR The Language Of Play, schedule your call here:  https://calendly.com/hello-play/discovery-session To DONATE to The Language Of Play, Use this secure payment link: https://app.autobooks.co/pay/the-language-of-play