Dr. Emily Aronoff(Yes—even for non-readers)
A few weeks ago, a wonderful rabbi asked me with surprise and curiosity why I use a slide deck to share song lyrics during a program… when the children in the room can’t read.
It’s a fair question. But the thing is: slides aren’t about reading.
When I started out as a songleader, we used lyric sheets. Then we shifted to simple projections. But times and technology have changed. What I use now isn’t just a fancier transparency. It’s something else entirely.
Slide decks are about seeing. Feeling. Anticipating. Recognizing. Participating.
They’re about connection.
And for Jewish music educators working in intergenerational spaces, thoughtful visual design can be the difference between passive attendance and meaningful engagement.
Let me show you why.
How Visual Slides Support Pre-Readers (Without Requiring Literacy)
Before children decode text, they’re already reading the room.
They pick up on images, gestures, layout, repetition, rhythm, and tone. In fact, research on dual coding theory and early childhood literacy supports what so many educators already know intuitively: kids make meaning through multiple channels. Words are just one piece of the puzzle.
That’s why in every Jewish music experience I lead—whether it’s Tot Shabbat, family Havdalah, or a preschool Passover unit—I use visual slide decks. They give structure to the experience, offer visual cues to support transitions and movement, and let children follow along even if they’re not yet singing every word.
The visuals aren’t a crutch. They’re a scaffold.
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Nerd Note: What’s Dual Coding Theory, and Why Does It Matter? Dual Coding Theory is a fancy way of saying this: We remember things better when we experience them through both words and images. Proposed by psychologist Allan Paivio, this theory suggests that our brains have two systems for taking in and storing information:One for verbal input (like lyrics, stories, or instructions)One for visual input (like photos, icons, or layout) When both systems are activated at the same time, like when we sing a song and see a meaningful image, our brains create two mental representations of the idea. That means more connections, better recall, and deeper understanding. |
This approach aligns with the principles of Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) as defined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Their work has long emphasized that young children thrive when we create experiences that reflect how they learn best—not how we wish they could.
NAEYC is an incredible resource if you haven’t read about D. A.P. (Developmentally Appropriate Practice) yet, please do!
Slides Speak to Grown-Ups, Too: Multigenerational Meaning Matters
Excellent early childhood programming is always also an adult education opportunity. Children require adult supervision… we should design experiences that include all of the participants as if they are.
My slide decks are layered intentionally to speak to everyone in the room. That might look like:
- A sepia photo of Jewish pioneers digging soil during Zum Gali Gali
- A “Did You Know?” pop-up about Leonard Nimoy’s priestly blessing during the family blessing song
- Video Clips of animals in a song that I classically used a puppet for prompting
Each moment is designed for multigenerational resonance. It’s not about overloading the space with information. It’s about planting small seeds of meaning that take root differently depending on who is watching.
That’s why I design with all ages in mind. Jewish music is never ‘just’ for the children, it’s a shared experience. When the visuals, lyrics, and flow are crafted with care, everyone in the room has a way to connect: whether they’re singing, watching, reading, remembering, or just being present.
Visual Design Builds Trust and Projects Intention
One of the less-talked-about benefits of using slides? It shows that I planned this. That this experience was designed with care, intention, and alignment. And that matters.
When a child walks into a space with clear visual cues, they feel safer.
When a parent sees that there’s Hebrew, English, and transliteration on the screen, they know they’re not going to feel left out.
When a host institution sees that I’ve included a welcome slide with their leadership team’s photos or a rotating announcement screen with upcoming events, they know I care about more than just the music, I care about their community.
This isn’t just a setlist. It’s a full experience designed and delivered with warmth, respect, and clarity.
Want Access to These Editable Jewish Music Slide Decks?
If you’re part of the Songleading for Kiddos Support Squad, you already have access to my entire digital slide library.
- Slide decks for every major Jewish topic
- Fully editable in Canva
- Hebrew, English, and transliteration included
- Visuals, videos, movement cues, and transitions
- Organized by topic
Whether you’re leading Shabbat blessings, preparing for Hanukkah, or building your yearlong music curriculum, these decks are ready to use or adapt to your own voice and context.
You can lead with clarity and creativity
I’ll help with the tech, the design, and the scaffolding.
Why It Matters
Children might not read lyrics yet, but they’re always watching.
And they deserve environments that are built with care.
Slide decks aren’t just a nice extra. They’re one of the many ways we honor the learning process for the littlest learners, and for everyone who’s learning alongside them.
