Music Therapy Sessions

kathryn helping child with guitarSessions are specifically tailored for the needs of each client. They are determined by the developmental level and ability, and can be adapted mid-session to cater for the client's changing responses. Most sessions begin with a greeting song and end with a goodbye theme in order to provide a framework so that the client has a clear understanding of the beginning and the end.

Musical techniques utilised include;

  • changing chords on a different beat from the words (allowing the client to process one change at a time)
  • playing at a speed which matches the client's movements (eg for a child with CP who has difficulty controlling voluntary movement)
  • Using instruments which can be easily played without prior training such as small drums, autoharp, omnichord, and/or tree chimes.
  • using instruments which can be shared such as bongo drums (has 2 heads), beater and drum,
  • using 7th (or unfinished sounding) chords to promote vocalisations or the finishing of lines of a song
  • -Leaving gaps at the end of a phrase to aid vocalisation

Session Goals

All sessions are goal oriented.

Music therapists share many goals/objectives with other therapists/disciplines, examples below

SOCIAL

  • play with peers
  • learn names of peers
  • share with peer
  • make eye contact with peer
  • take turns

EMOTIONAL

  • appropriate expression of feelings
  • recognise happy/sad/angry

PHYSICAL

  • increase range of motion
  • eye/hand coordination
  • move arms/legs/whole body
  • manipulate objects in hands

COGNITIVE

  • name colours/shapes
  • name/touch body parts
  • say own name, spell own name
  • learn 1 to 1 correspondence

Session Activities

The following are examples of activities which can be used in a music therapy session or in the classroom;

Greeting song(s)

  • It's time to sing Hello
  • I want to sing good morning

Music Therapy session with young clildMovement song(s)/activities

  • if you're happy and you know it
  • clap you hands to the music
  • in and out the circle
  • fish and chips
  • mirroring

Socialization

  • Oh (name) has a hat
  • Oh where is (name)
  • ? has a name

Instrumental activities

  • we're going to make some music
  • let's beat the drum
  • I'm going to Kentucky/everybody shake
  • play the bell one time

Sensorimotor

  • ball/balloon and lycra
  • scarves

Listening

  • flute
  • CD/tape
  • live piano

Relaxation

  • relax to classical music
  • Goodbye songs
  • goodbye and toodleloo
  • goodbye (name)

These and other activities are great facilitators for helping to increase the child's general awareness and understanding of the surrounding environment.