New Apple Music 'Saylists' Geared Towards Speech Therapy for Children [Updated]

Apple Music has partnered with Warner Music and Accenture Interactive's Rothco to launch "Saylists" – playlists of songs selected to help young people with a speech-sound disorder, or SSD.

saylist apple music
According to the BBC, the project uses algorithms to find song lyrics in ‌Apple Music‌'s vast library of tracks that repeat challenging sounds, allowing listeners to sing along as a form of speech therapy.

Getting children with SSD to repeat challenging syllables, words, and phrases is considered to be one of the most successful therapeutic strategies, reports Musicweek. The repetition involved can be tedious and draining for children, which is why the "Saylists" are designed to add a fun and engaging element to that experience.

So far, the algorithm has selected 173 tracks that meet its criteria, including Dua Lipa's "Don't Start Now," Lizzo's "Good As Hell," and Fatboy Slim's "Right Here, Right Now."

Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists chief executive Kamini Gadhok told BBC News: "We're always pleased to hear about innovative approaches that support speech-and-language therapists in their work. As with all new techniques and tools, we recommend effective evaluation and monitoring of outcomes."

The "Saylists" are English-language only and can only be accessed by ‌Apple Music‌ subscribers in the United Kingdom, where one in 12 children experience some form of SSD. Whether the program will be extended to other regions and territories remains unknown.

Update: ‌Apple Music‌ "Saylists" will in fact be available globally, MacRumors can confirm.

Top Rated Comments

MOFS Avatar
40 months ago
Sounds amazing, but “Feeling Good as Hell” is a bit blue for kids.


Woo child, tired of the ********
Go on dust your shoulders off, keep it moving
Yes Lord, tryna get some new ****
In there, swimwear, going to the pool ****
Come now, come dry your eyes
You know you a star, you can touch the sky
I know that it's hard but you have to try
If you need advice, let me simplify
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Will Co Avatar
40 months ago
What a marvellous idea. Well done Apple and Warner for getting behind it.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
chucker23n1 Avatar
40 months ago

Yes, it’s a very dumb country.
Maybe, but my point was the content industry keeps shooting its feet with stuff like that.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LeadingHeat Avatar
40 months ago
This is a fantastic idea! I do hope if it’s for children though that they find songs that are kid friendly..

That being said, after the pilot program is done, please open it up to the rest of Apple Music, Apple!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dumastudetto Avatar
40 months ago
I love Apple for caring about things like this. Apple knows where they lead, others often follow, and that's why we should be thankful they are the industry leaders.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
chucker23n1 Avatar
40 months ago
Pretty cool.


can only be accessed by Apple Music subscribers in the United Kingdom
That's dumb, though.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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