The American Music Therapy Association defines music therapy as “The clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a[n appropriately] credentialed professional." Music therapists practice in diverse settings, including but not limited to schools, community clinics, hospitals, substance abuse treatment centers, nursing homes, hospices, and prisons. They use diverse musical genres with people of all ages, including children under 1 year old and sometimes even fetuses.
Musical Therapy Methods
Music therapists believe that “all individuals, regardless of age or musical background, have a basic capacity for musical expression and appreciation,” according to a webpage on the Temple University website. Music therapists might recommend that clients listen to live or prerecorded music; engage in games or other structured play; recreate already composed music through voice or other instruments; or improvise their own musical sounds. The client's particular developmental stage, needs and preferences often decide what genres of music the therapist uses, for example, classical, gospel, jazz, rock, folk or hip hop. All these therapeutic methods can be applied in developmentally appropriate ways to music therapy with babies.
Babies' Musical Development
The ear begins taking shape within days of conception and is fully formed by 30 weeks. Before then, babies are sensitive to their mother’s and their own bodily sounds, such as heartbeats, and respond differently to stimulating or relaxing music. Between birth and 6 months, babies try out a variety of pitches and tones. According to research by Music Together, the popular children’s curriculum, they can even match the key of their cries or coos to that of their caregivers’ singing. Babies then learn to “chime in” on certain notes, like the song’s resting tone, and experiment with tonal patterns. By twelve months, they sing recognizable versions of familiar tunes or make up their own. The development of rhythmic ability is similar.
Reasons for Music Therapy With Babies
Although music therapists work with babies for reasons as varied and unique as their clients, often they do so to foster parent-child bonding or relaxation, alleviate pain and emotional distress and promote healthy physical and emotional development in babies with disabilities or health problems. A music therapist might recommend, for example, that a woman in an emotionally stressful pregnancy play a recording of a relaxing classical tune or sing a traditional folk lullaby for herself and her baby. For an older baby with impaired motor skills, the therapist might play vigorous rock music and encourage her to play along with a simple percussion instrument.
Finding and Affording Music Therapy
Contact a professional society such as the American Music Therapy Association or the World Federation of Music Therapy. Ask any facility where you take your baby for health care or other services if they have any staff or volunteer music therapists. The therapy might be free or available at reduced or sliding-scale rates. Government or commercial insurance plans may cover some or all of the costs. If your claim is rejected, you can ask the therapist to include research on the benefits of her interventions as part of your appeal.
References
- American Music Therapy Association
- "Music, Therapy, and Early Childhood: A Developmental Approach"; Elizabeth Schwartz; 2008
- "Music Therapy: An Art Beyond Words"; Leslie Bunt; 1994
- Music Together; The Importance of Music in Early Childhood; Lili M. Levinowitz
- Music Together; Musical Milestones -- Signs of Musical Growth
- Temple University: Frequently Asked Questions About Music Therapy
