Music therapy ‘refers to the use of music and/or its elements (sound, rhythm, melody, harmony) performed by a qualified music therapist, with a patient or group, in a process created to facilitate and promote communication, relationships, learning, movement, expression, organization, and other relevant therapeutic objectives to thus satisfy physical, emotional, mental, social, and cognitive needs. Its purpose is to develop potential and/or restore the functions of the individual so that they can achieve better intra and/or interpersonal integration and, consequently, a better quality of life through prevention, rehabilitation, and treatment’ (Clinical Practice Committee of the World Federation of Music Therapy, 1996).
Through training programs such as ISEP’s Master in Music Therapy, one learns that there is a clear connection between music and brain functions such as memory, orientation, balance, mobility, and coordination. It also connects directly with emotions, provokes them, evokes them, and at the same time helps to express them. For this reason, it constitutes a useful tool for education.
Music in the classroom can be used:
– As a complement or background element, contributing to creating a pleasant atmosphere in the classroom when any subject is taught or a practical activity is developed. In this case, the student listens passively, somewhat unconsciously, but it directly impacts their well-being, their way of being and acting in the educational environment.
– As a direct work tool, either to learn music or to enhance motor and communicative skills. In this case, the student actively participates by creating it with instruments, moving to its rhythm, or performing attentive listening that consciously awakens their emotions.
Delgado (2015) indicates that music therapy is beneficial in several aspects:
1. Enhances cognitive functions: it has been shown that music therapy improves children’s attention and concentration, while stimulating the retention of new content. Furthermore, it is a tool to foster their imagination, creativity, concept formation, and mental agility. It also contributes to promoting learning and problem-solving.
2. Improves emotional problems: music therapy helps strengthen a child’s self-esteem, making them feel more secure and confident. In fact, a study conducted by researchers at Queen’s University Belfast, in the United Kingdom, found that this type of therapy can reduce symptoms of depression in children with behavioral problems.
3. Strengthens body expression: through music therapy, children acquire and develop their body expression skills, sharpen their auditory discrimination, and refine their motor coordination. Additionally, they learn to vocalize and manage to release repressed energy. If combined with dance, it can be an excellent therapy for treating muscular and bone problems.
4. Fosters socialization: music helps children express themselves; it is a way to motivate them to step out of their comfort zone and interact with other people, showing their true ‘self’. In fact, it has become one of the most used alternative therapies by psychologists and psychiatrists to improve communication skills in children with autism.
5. Stimulates brain maturation: music therapy is a wonderful strategy to stimulate child brain development. Music is capable of stimulating the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter related to mood. Furthermore, a study conducted at the University of Florida has shown that when children listen to music, numerous brain areas are activated, such as the prefrontal cortex, Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas, the cerebellum, the temporal lobe, and the motor cortex.
There are different techniques that can be adapted to the characteristics and needs of each child (Delgado, 2015):
Singing: singing songs helps children learn the correct structure of words and phrases, making it an excellent tool for enhancing language. Additionally, it stimulates the vocal apparatus, while improving memory and neural association.
Musical listening: this type of therapy is perfect for fostering attention and sound recognition, while helping to relax or activate children, depending on the type of music. It also serves to stimulate language and develop associative memory.
Musical games: these are activities based on an instrument or a musical action, in which certain rules are followed. The best part is that they can be applied in any treatment as they promote the development of thinking, creativity, concentration, and memory. They also stimulate motor coordination, making them perfect for children with motor problems.
Song composition: this technique fosters children’s creativity and imagination. It also stimulates word association, language development, and recall memory. Basically, the child must compose a song by changing lyrics they already know or creating a new melody.
Playing instruments: playing a musical instrument not only requires knowledge but also motor skills, making it a good exercise for children with physical disabilities or coordination problems. It is also an excellent tool for developing auditory capacity and retention memory.
Music therapy training is becoming popular among education professionals due to its effectiveness as a learning and personal growth tool, and its perfect adaptation to each child’s maturational development.