Unless you or someone you know has a developmental disability, it’s quite likely that you don’t give much thought to them or even know much, if anything about them. But since March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM), the Morning Thing wanted to learn a little bit more about this topic and share it with you.

We had the opportunity to speak with Shannon French, a mother raising a 3-year old daughter with CHARGE Syndrome. Shannon very graciously shared her experience with Developmental Disabilities and had some great info to share with those of us who aren’t as familiar. The conversation is worth checking out and can be found HERE.

If you would like more information on DDAM or on Developmental Disabilities in general, be sure to check out the Knox County Board of Developmental Disabilities website.

March has been officially designated by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) for the observance of Music In Our Schools Month® (MIOSM®), the time of year when music education becomes the focus of schools across the nation.

“The purpose of MIOSM is to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children – and to remind citizens that school is where all children should have access to music. MIOSM is an opportunity for music teachers to bring their music programs to the attention of the school and the community, and to display the benefits that school music brings to students of all ages” (daysoftheyear.com).

There are some great reasons why your child should be involved in music in their schools! Check them out below!

1. Language skills. According to PBS, “Recent studies have clearly indicated that musical training physically develops the part of the left side of the brain known to be involved with processing language, and can actually wire the brain’s circuits in specific ways.” Learning a musical instrument also improves how the brain understands human language, which can help students learn a second language.

2. Improved test scores. Studies have shown that students who are involved with a high-quality music education program in school perform better on tests than students who don’t engage in music.  PBS reports, “A study published in 2007 by Christopher Johnson, professor of music education and music therapy at the University of Kansas, revealed that students in elementary schools with superior music education programs scored around 22 percent higher in English and 20 percent higher in math scores on standardized tests, compared to schools with low-quality music programs.”

3. Self-esteem. Music allows students to try something new and develop confidence as they master singing or playing an instrument. “When students are working towards a common goal, they appreciate that their ‘voice’ and interests are heard and understood by others. This joint effort creates a sense of secure acceptance that is critical to their self-esteem,” states PBS.

4. Listening skills. Music involves listening to yourself and to the rest of the ensemble. Musicians need to hear tempos, dynamics, tuning, and harmonies. This helps auditory development in the brain.

See the complete list here!

Today on the show we celebrated Nutrition Month by sharing some foods that are great to start out your morning, and could even help you loose weight!

Nutrition Month is “celebrated every March, and is sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Nutrition Month focuses on helping people to make correct food choices as well as developing good eating and exercising habits” (daysoftheyear.com).

Healthline shared some of the 12 best foods to start your day.

1. Eggs- Studies have shown that eating eggs at breakfast increases feelings of fullness, reduces calorie intake at the next meal and helps maintain steady blood sugar and insulin levels.
2. Greek Yogurt- It’s made by straining whey and other liquid from milk curds, which produces a creamier yogurt that is more concentrated in protein.
3. Coffee- It’s high in caffeine, which has been shown to improve mood, alertness and mental performance.

See the complete list here!

There are also some healthy snacks that can actually help you loose weight!

1. Mixed Nuts- Nuts are an ideal nutritious snack. They’re linked to a reduced risk of heart disease and may help prevent certain cancers, depression, and other illnesses. Despite being relatively high in fat, they are very filling. Several studies suggest that eating nuts in moderation can help you lose weight.
2. Apple slices with peanut butter- Apples and peanut butter taste fantastic together. Apples are high in fiber and polyphenol antioxidants that improve gut health and reduce heart disease risk. Peanut butter may have additional benefits for heart health. It has been shown to increase HDL (good) cholesterol and reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides.
3. Celery sticks with cream cheese- Celery sticks with cream cheese are a classic low-carb, filling snack. Celery contains luteolin, an antioxidant that reduces inflammation and may help prevent cancer. Five small celery sticks with 2 ounces (60 grams) of cream cheese harbors fewer than 200 calories.

See the complete list here!