Music Educational Therapy and the Figurenotes Music Pedagogical Approach for Young Children with Special Needs

Liza Lee,Hsiao-Fang Lin

doi:10.13189/ujer.2020.080632

Abstract

This study used the Figurenotes music pedagogical approach, combined with music education therapy strategies developed by Lee (2012), to deliver a specially designed music therapy course to children with special needs and determine how it might engage these students and positively influence their learning skills through the utilization of homemade elements, homemade instruments, teaching aids, and multisensory instruments. This study took place in a nonprofit, early-treatment institution in central Taiwan, and the participants were 56 young children with special needs aged 1–6 years. The research data were primarily obtained from a qualitative narrative, supplemented with quantitative data. The qualitative data included the basic information of the children and the observation record of their target ability, whereas the quantitative data were scored using a 5-point Likert scale. The findings revealed that most children took the initiative to participate in the activities, and the growth curve during this segment of instruction exhibited a steady upward trend. In summary, the use of Figurenotes as the core device demonstrated a significant and positive effect as a therapeutic device for children with special needs.

Highlights

Music has been used as a healing method since ancient times
The International Society for Music Education and the Commission of Music in Special Education, Music Therapy, & Music Medicine proposed that music therapy is a tool and a theoretical and practical system that has achieved global recognition [1]
According to the definition provided by the World Federation of Music Therapy (WFMT), music therapy is the use of music or elements in music as an intervention method in fields such as medical treatment and education

Summary

Introduction

Music has been used as a healing method since ancient times. In modern times, scholars have conducted systematic, in-depth research on the physical and mental healing capabilities of music. According to the definition provided by the World Federation of Music Therapy (WFMT), music therapy is the use of music or elements in music as an intervention method in fields such as medical treatment and education. It promotes the quality of life of individuals, groups, families, and even communities, and it improves their physical, social, interpersonal emotional, intellectual, and spiritual well-being [2]. If medical therapy is physiologically invasive, music therapy is categorized as noninvasive psychological therapy [2]. Music therapy does not concern treatment as much as it does cultivation of the psychological function of patients and the enhancement of their mental health

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion