At Find Your Voice Music Therapy, we had the privilege of running a music therapy group for children with developmental delays for a 6 week pilot series from February 16th to April 6th, 2015. We are happy to say that we have done a re-launch and are currently offering an 8 week group music therapy series from April 27th to June 22nd, 2015 at Make Way For Me Occupational Therapy for Children.
Music therapy is often a “fun” form of therapy for children with developmental delays as they are able to be kids and have the opportunity to freely explore, create, and discover through music while achieving therapeutic and clinical impact. Some of the areas that we have been addressing through music therapy activities and techniques include:
Cognitive Goals:
Neuroscientists have been using fMRI and PET scans to observe brain activity while listening to music, playing instruments, and singing. They have discovered that while people listen to music multiple areas of the brain are stimulated at the same time. While playing music instruments or singing they discovered that the motor, visual, and auditory cortices are active. Repetitive activity strengthens those brain functions allowing us to apply that strength to other areas of our life. Playing music and singing also increases volume and activity in the corpus collosum. Researchers believe that this may help people solve problems more effectively and creatively in both academic and social settings. Research also indicates that those who play instruments and sing develop high executive functioning involving planning, strategizing, analysis, and attention.
Physical Goals:
Physical goals are addressed as music therapy can enhance visual motor, verbal, and rhythmic skills, which can be especially beneficial for individuals who require physical rehabilitation. There is much evidence to indicate that music can improve mobility, strength, and coordination of movement. Gross and fine motor skills, which are controlled in both hemispheres of the brain, can be addressed in music therapy sessions. Also, deep breathing can improve relaxed states with individuals who are agitated, stressed, anxious, or in pain.
Emotional Goals:
Emotional goals are addressed through positive changes in emotional states which can be induced when listening to the preferred music of an individual. Music promotes agitation, stress, and anxiety reduction and is often used for means of distraction and temporary relief from pain and discomfort. Research shows that music therapy reduces depressive symptoms as low levels of serotonin can be increased through music therapy experiences. The hormone serotonin is released when listening to music and is involved with regulation of mood and sleep, as well memory and learning skills. Dopamine, the pleasure, reward, motivator hormone, is also released when listening to music.
Social Goals:
When listening and experiencing music therapy with others oxytocin is released. This hormone is known as the “bonding hormone” and involves increased connection, trust, and empathy between people. Music therapy sessions promote community, social interaction, and group cohesion. This provides opportunities for awareness of self and others, to enhance social and emotional skills, to increase attention and focus, and to decrease behaviour problems.
Spiritual Goals:
Spiritual goals are addressed as faith and spirituality is enhanced through song. We see with religion that music and singing is often integrated into worship services. In music therapy we focus on using music to validate, support, and acknowledge one’s spirituality and individuality.
If you have any questions on how music therapy can benefit your child, or perhaps a loved one’s, please connect with us at info@findyourvoicemusictherapy.com and we would be pleased to answer any of your questions!