Mother vs. Nature

Did you know that, today, scientists are exploring the way music and it's amazing affects can have on brain development?  Songs and lullibies have appeared to be a vital part in child development.  Through simple songs and rhymes, babies can learn to speak, read, think and make connections.  The nature of music helps them gain a sense of trust and compassion for others.  Songs also support culture and provide children with an understanding of the world around them.  Children can also learn new languages easier through song.  One of the most popular collections of songs and rhymes may be credited to Mother Goose, with timeless songs like "Hickory Dickory Dock" and "Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star."  However, Mother Goose is a name used to identify many anonymous women who have sung for their babies' throughout history.  It is probably safe to say that women may not have been aware of the science behind songs and how it affects their children; they instinctively gave their young this essential human experience. 

Vocabulary
exploring (verb) - to look at in a careful way
development (noun) - something that grows over a period of time
vital (adjective) - very important
connections (noun) - to join two or more things together
compassion (noun) - a feeling of wanting to help someone
collections (noun) - a group of things
credited (verb) - to say that something is because of someone/something else
anonymous (adjective) - not named or identified
"safe to say" (idiom) - to be sure what you are saying is true
instinctively (adjective) - based on feelings, not on knowledge
essential (adjective) - very important and necessary

Vocabulary Activity
Match the vocabulary words to their meanings.

1.  exploring		a)  a feeling of wanting to help someone
2.  development		b)  to join two or more things together
3.  vital		c)  something that grows over a period of time
4.  connections		d)  very important and necessary
5.  compassion		e)  based on feelings, not on knowledge
6.  collections		f)  to say that something is because of someone/something else
7.  credited		g) a group of things
8.  anonymous		h) very important
9.  "safe to say"		i) to be sure what you are saying is true
10. instinctively		j) To look in a careful way
11. essential		k) not named or identified

Grammar Point
Transition words are used to in writing to help improve the connection of thoughts. There are many transition words that are used to illustrate, compare, emphasize, add to and summarize ideas.  These include words like:  therefore, however, for example, except, finally, and also. 
For example, if you want to let your reader that you are going to say a statement that is opposite of the statement before it you might write:

     Red flowers are pretty, however pink flowers are my favorite.

The word however lets your reader know that you are going to say something opposite of your initial thought.

Grammar Activity 
Write 5 coherent sentences using at least 5 different transition words.