Music is GREAT for adults and children, and it can be especially effective with children who have special needs.
Music has an instinctual foundation and function to it, which allows us, as humans, to be drawn to the rhythm and beat.
Some people say that music can have a healing effect on people with disabilities, or who have medical problems.
Elderly patients with memory loss, often can remember hymns or how to play an instrument due to the instinctual aspect that music has on us.
Music alters our brain waves, and can often put us in another state of mind that is more calming and almost meditative. Our breathing becomes heavier (with high tempo music) or softer. Our blood begins to pump and we feel the need to move and dance.
Partners In Learning's very own Mr. Matt held a music session for children with special needs this past Tuesday. He had instruments from guitars to pianos to drums to bells. The kids LOVED it! Check out some of the pictures from the event!
We need to make sure that music is a significant part of our children's lives. It has the potential to have many benefits that can last throughout their lifetime!
Katherine Zink, Community Inclusion Assistant
This looks like it was a lot of fun! The kids look like they enjoyed it too. I would like to add to this blog post that there is a difference in music with children and music therapy.
ReplyDeleteMusic by itself can be entertaining and can sometimes redirect attention in children with special needs or children who are "typically developed". All of us most likely learned our ABCs through the use of song.
Music therapy is the scientific and evidence-based use of music by a board certified music therapist to assist a person in reaching a non-musical, therapeutic goal.
I love that music is getting used more often in educational settings, but as a board certified music therapist, I feel that it's important to make a definite distinction between a music session and a music therapy session, especially considering that a lot of people are hearing more about musc therapy.
For more information on music therapy, please visit the American Music Therapy Association's website at: http://www.musictherapy.org