Who hasn’t relaxed to the sound of music? Or lulled a baby to sleep with a lullaby, or simply been moved when hearing a song? Music offers different sensations, stirs emotions, and even awakens memories. This is the power of music which, when used in therapy, is known as music therapy. Music therapy for children is a completely innovative method that allows teaching and stimulating any child of any age group in a fun and enjoyable way.

Music therapy is considered a profession in the healthcare field, with its main focus on helping children and adults with physical and emotional needs. Promoting improvement in emotional development, communication, socialization, and even physical rehabilitation. With the help of sounds, melodies, and rhythms, it’s possible to provide significant stimulation for children who are undergoing mental and social rehabilitation.

The use of instruments and singing exercises is geared toward music therapy for children with hearing disorders and speech difficulties or even for those with intellectual disabilities. Music therapy helps control stress, relieves pain, aids memory improvement, and helps children express their feelings more easily.

Benefits of Music Therapy

The treatment, as well as the number of sessions to be carried out by the music therapist, should be based on the needs of each child. Each situation and case should be evaluated individually, and the activities should begin accordingly.

Music therapy sessions can be held individually or in groups that require the same treatment. Through songs, lyrical music, or musical improvisations, patients will improve their breathing capacity, alleviate tension and headaches, and assist in improving concentration and reasoning. Musical sound stimulation activates several areas of the brain that enhance social, physical, and neurological functions.

Through the sessions, the music therapist can assess, through body expressions, the absence or failure of verbal or nonverbal communication in children. Music therapy treatment is recommended for children and adults who suffer from neurological problems, cognitive deficits, autism, those diagnosed with ADHD or ADD, oncology patients, those rehabilitating after comas or accidents, or those being treated for depression, panic syndrome, or anxiety control.

Listening to music or playing instruments to make music activates and exercises various parts of the brain, such as:

  • The sensory cortex, which controls touch sensations when playing an instrument;
  • The auditory cortex, which is able to hear, capture, and identify musical sounds;
  • The visual cortex, which enables reading lyrics and notes and visualizes dance movements;
  • The prefrontal cortex, which controls behavior and decision-making;
  • The hippocampus, which controls memory and is stimulated when recalling a song lyric;
  • The cerebellum, which is directly linked to emotional reactions and is stimulated by dancing or playing instruments.

It is usually possible to find music therapy treatment in specialized clinics, hospitals, drug and alcoholism rehabilitation centers, elder support centers, or mental health facilities. Some schools and private companies have offered music therapy to their students and employees, providing relaxation to help improve concentration and performance in studies and work.

Photo: Midiman – Music Therapy