Music therapy and music-based intervention as a form of therapeutic and educational work with preschool and early school-aged children with selective mutism

Abstract

Selective mutism is an increasingly recognised disorder among preschool- and early school-aged children. Currently, therapists are searching for optimal therapeutic intervention techniques for working with children affected by selective mutism. Music therapy is proving to be an effective modality for working with children who are communicatively isolated in preschool and school environments, which manifests itself in absent, impaired or difficult relationships with peers. This text characterises the specific features of selective mutism. In the initial section, the author discusses the multifactorial aetiology of selective mutism. In the following section, the author presents selected techniques for initiating improvisational musical activity as one of the therapeutic approaches in working with children with selective mutism. The author emphasises the potential of music therapy in the process of lowering the level of anxiety (getting rid of the fear of speaking) and restoring free non-verbal communication as soon as possible in children of preschool and early school age. The author also draws attention to the specific nature of the relationship between the therapist and the child, which is conducive to the effective course of the music therapy process. The main conclusion of the study is that music therapy, which shows a great psychological, medical, and especially pedagogical potential, can contribute to a reduction in communicative tension and promote a relatively rapid acquisition of spontaneous speech in children. Thus, it represents a worthwhile therapeutic option in working with children with selective mutism in kindergartens and schools.