Music Therapy in Early Childhood

Early childhood is the period from birth to eight years old and is a time of remarkable growth and brain development. During this stage, children learn holistically, meaning that social, emotional, cognitive, language, and physical lessons are learned from the whole experience.

In typically developing babies and toddlers, music therapy is used to enhance and develop socialisation, communication, self- expression, and sensory-motor skills.

It does this by encouraging a child’s development through activities such as singing, instrumental play, movement, songwriting, sensory play and relaxation to music.

Music therapy provides opportunities for children to achieve sensory integration and emotional regulation; to develop their communication and social skills and encourage general development through musical play.

One of the reasons music therapy works so well with children is that it gets their brains and bodies working while they are having fun, building a solid and broad foundation for lifelong learning and wellbeing.