Music, Therapy, and Early Childhood: A Developmental Approach

Elizabeth Schwartz

Print ISBNs: 1-891278-53-3 or 978-1-891278-53-2
E-ISBN: 978-1-891278-69-3

$20	$20	$26

A comprehensive guide to music therapy with young children, providing a detailed examination of development from birth to age five, with theoretical perspectives and extensive scales of developmental milestones. Information is compiled in nine different chronological periods, including benchmarks for physical, sensory, motor, cognitive, emotional/social, and language development. The book then synthesizes current research on musical development in young children and provides lists of musical behaviors as well as a presentation of the theories of musical development proposed by Briggs/Bruscia and Edwin Gordon.

Part Two explores the author’s framework for practice based on both the theory and research from the beginning chapters. Development is categorized within five levels. The chapters thoroughly examine each level through anecdotal musical descriptions, musical elements key to each level, and musical characteristics. An expansive catalog of musical goals is provided for singing, playing, moving, and musical understanding within each level. Strategies and interventions offer the therapist, family, or educator an easy to understand format for success.

Therapeutic issues are addressed through a guide to understanding what developmental obstacles are encountered by the special needs child and how these obstacles impact musical participation and overall development. Next there is an in-depth look at recognizing musical involvement in all the levels.

Practical tips and solutions for the music therapist make up the third section of the book with discussions on play, language, choices, silence, generalization, role release, as well as instruments and equipment. And no book on early childhood would be complete without a look at important events such as toileting, walking, reading, and talking and how these can be addressed musically.

Music, Therapy, and Early Childhood: A Developmental Approach provides a wealth of information for the music therapy student, young music therapy professional, early childhood music educator, early childhood teacher, parents, and families. 2008, (ISBN 13: 978-1-891278-53-2), 168 pages, $26.

Reviews By:

* Amelia Oldfield in Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, January 2009

Table of Contents
Preface	ix
How to Use This Book	x
Introduction	xi
Part I: Music, Young Children, and Development
Chapter 1 Music and Young Children How Music Is Experienced The Elements of Music and Early Childhood Music The Role of Music for the Young Child	3
Chapter 2 Theories of Development in Young Children	11
Chapter 3 Early Childhood Developmental Scales and Checklists	17
Chapter 4 Models of Musical Development in Early Childhood	29
Chapter 5 Musical Response in Early Childhood What Develops Musically and When	39
Part II: From Theory to Practice
Chapter 6 A Framework for Practice: Developmental Levels	49
Chapter 7 Awareness Children Developing Awareness Musical Characteristics Developing Awareness Through Music Goals and Objectives Strategies and Interventions	51
Chapter 8 Trust Children Developing Trust Musical Characteristics Developing Trust Through Music Goals and Objectives Strategies and Interventions	61
Chapter 9 Independence Children Developing Independence Musical Characteristics Developing Independence Through Music Goals and Objectives Strategies and Interventions	69
Chapter 10 Control Children Developing Control Musical Characteristics Developing Control Through Music Goals and Objectives Strategies and Interventions	79
Chapter 11 Responsibility Children Developing Responsibility Musical Characteristics Developing Responsibility Through Music Goals and Objectives Strategies and Interventions	91
Chapter 12 Obstacles to Development The Impact of Diagnosis The Circle of Experience Horizontal and Vertical Development	107
Chapter 13 Recognizing Involvement in Music	117
Part III: Practice Particulars
Chapter 14 Creating a Developmental Music Environment for Young Children Play, Music, and Young Children Music and Language Making Choices in Music The Meaning of Silence in Music Time Instruments and Equipment	125
Chapter 15 Seeing the Whole Child Moving Talking Toileting Reading Therapy and Role Release Generalization	139
Chapter 16 Simple Tips and Practical Solutions Seven Power Words for Preschoolers Group Music with Young Children Flow of the Music Groups	147
Chapter 17 Programs for Young Children with Special Needs	151
Appendix Music Indicators of Early Childhood Development Evaluation Form	157
Resources	161
Index	167