What Is Music and How Can It Help Us?

Over the last 20 years, I have frequently been asked the question “what is music therapy?” People are familiar with music and therapy but somehow when you combine the two words “music therapy”, it seems to challenge, confuse, fascinate and motivate people to ask that question.

Have you ever felt more relaxed when listening to music? Have you ever listened to music that instantaneously brought up strong feelings or brought you back to a special time from the past? Have you ever felt a sense of inner strength or spirituality when listening to music? Have you ever sung a lullaby to help comfort a crying baby or sung the alphabet song to a young child who is just learning the alphabet?

If you can answer “yes” to any of these questions, then you have experienced the power of music. Music can evoke emotions, memories, and spiritual or social connectedness, as well as provide a means of expressing feelings and a sense of safety, security and comfort to young children. Music especially provides a fun way for children to learn. It is the one medium that cuts through the boundaries of age, culture, disability and disease.  As more research is demonstrating the benefits of music on brain development, music therapists are now bringing their work and expertise into the mainstream.

There are endless ways you can bring music into your child’s life (and your own life) to enhance well-being and quality of life.

from the Healthy Child.com