Music Therapy and Developmentally Delayed Children

Music therapy is a psychotherapeutic treatment most commonly used to help children with developmental disabilities. Music as a therapy has been around longer than one might think and "recognized for centuries." (Bunt 179) Many years before that, music was used as a less scientific means of healing by medicine men (Hadley 215). By using music therapy directly, or indirectly, as a developmental aid, many people can be positively effected. When many people can use the treatment, it has to be available in many different locations. More than any other age group, children benefit most.

All children develop at different rates and in many different ways. Many children with disabilities have trouble expressing themselves. Music is a form of creative expression and freedom of expression is key in development among those of the developmentally delayed or normal. Children with developmental disabilities have learning problems as well as problems with social and motor skills. Music helps them learn while giving them freedom to express themselves and although music therapy can help all people, children with developmental disabilities are the most commonly known benefactor.

During development, a child develops in a couple differnet ways. Physically, emotionally, and cognitively are the three that come to mind. When a child has developmental delays, there are many things that can be happening preventing the child from developing. Sometimes muscles aren't moved as often as they should be and become immobile. When a child picks up an instrument for the first time, he is not naturally coordinated to play that instrument. Children with that lack in motor skills can exercise, especially their hands, without even knowing it. There are...

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