What are the advantages and disadvantages of a musical education ...

‘A rock music backdrop, was successfully used with ADHD children to help them focus.
Classical as well as popular folk music was selected for its rhythmic and dynamic regularity
as a background for a child with borderline personality and phobias who was involved in
play therapy and art. In this latter study, the music not only reduced anxiety but also led into
an active music-making experience’ (2007, P.184).
Victoria Wood, author of ‘Music Therapy in Children’s Hospices’, observed that when music
therapy was first introduced in children’s hospices, an immediate effect was noted on patients
and staff.
‘ It had already proved its value to the children who used its facilities for both respite and
palliative care. Staff had been impressed by the way music therapy provided a vital means of
communication and self-expression for children with life-limiting conditions for whom verbal
communication was difficult or impossible’ (2005, P.147).
At challenging times in a child’s life communication can be very difficult. Coming to terms
with, and controlling one’s emotions, is something many people find hard at the best of times.
If music can be used to help children communicate their emotions at these most distressing
times, then that is proof of the positive effects music can have.
It is important for young children to interact with one another, as it helps to develop social
skills and teamwork. Children with learning disabilities may have had less interaction with
other children due to their own difficulties. Music therapy can offer an effective way of
children interacting with one another in a way that feels comfortable. ‘All children benefit
from pre-school group experiences, but children with special needs may take longer to adapt
to social situations and therefore particularly need and benefit from frequently repeated
experiences such as those provided in music therapy group work’ (Oldfield, 2008, P.55). If
music therapy can give children an opportunity to communicate with each other and help
them to develop the skills that they need to handle themselves in social situations, then
introducing it at a younger age will build a strong foundation that could lead to further
progression in later life.
As well as helping children mentally, music therapy can also be used to help children
physically. Music therapy can play a huge part in maintaining and restoring physical
condition. In Victoria Wood’s book ‘Music Therapy in Children’s Hospices’, she talks about
the study of one little girl Jessie, who has a severe and complex medical condition that can
change rapidly and therefore needs constant medical care. In this next quote Victoria Wood
reveals how music therapy helped with Jessie’s treatment and the progress that she made:
Music Education in Regard to Children CM6002 Emily McGregor 163930
8