Early Intervention Music Therapy for Adolescent Mothers and Their Children

Abstract

Adolescence is a unique and challenging period of growth, change and possible turmoil as a young person transitions towards adulthood. The capacity to provide quality parenting at this time is likely to be compromised because the teenage mother simultaneously experiences the challenges of adolescence and first time parenthood. Research suggests that teenage mothers are significantly less supportive, more detached, more intrusive, and more negative / hostile, when compared to older mothers, and may be less able to provide a stimulating learning environment. Sing & Grow is a national early intervention music therapy project provided by Playgroup Associations and funded by the Commonwealth Government of Australia. The project provides 10 weekly group music therapy sessions to parent and child (aged 0 to 3 years) dyads from families in communities identified as marginal as a result of various circumstances, including adolescent and young parenthood. Outcomes of clinical programmes conducted to date show that the central provision of music has been successful in promoting a range of non-musical parenting outcomes for adolescent and young mothers. This includes observed increases in their repertory of skills in relating to and interacting with their child in more gentle and nurturing ways.