Share how you can explain to parents the difference between music for development and music for skill building.

[Meredith Pizzi]

[Lauren Klimek]

Developmental stages and skill building go hand in hand. In my group work, I try to remind the parents that once their child reaches certain milestones that they are then ready to take their experience and knowledge, and use it. I explain that the developmentally appropriate music is the foundation for their growth and once they are able to process the music and what’s being asked of them, they are then able to develop skill sets such as being able to complete tasks, relate to others, turn taking etc…

[Gina Greeson]

I really love what Lauren Said! I think she explained it very well. Music for skill building uses music that is appropriate for their development and focuses on that skill such as turn taking, following directions. Music for development focuses on certain milestones during the music (example being they played an instrument with two hands). This is a very tough question for me.

[Joanna Calahan]

I typically explain that we all have developmental milestones to reach, and can use music to assist with attaining milestones. I then give an example like singing/saying vocal sounds and shaping our mouths differently, rocking our bodies to the rhythm to gain momentum to crawl or walk, etc. I continue to explain that once we reach a specific milestone we can continue to address and maintain these new skills with repetition with familiar songs as well as incorporating new interventions.

[Megan Calabro]

I really like how each of you explained this! Similar to what Joanna said, I have also shared with parents that there are many ways that music can help support development and the reaching of milestones. I have also shared that music can be used specifically to support skill development as part of “music for development”.

Thank you for posing this question! This is definitely prompting me to take another look at the handouts I’ve created for parents regarding this topic.

[Dina Breaux]

I agree, Gina, this was a question that took me some time to think about and consider. They almost seemed to be one and the same. I believe music for development, in an early childhood music setting, can guide and nurture children as they reach developmental miletones. In this safe and supportive environment, it allows for creative, fun opportunities for children to explore their world and their place in it. Music for skill building, on the other hand, gives children opportunities to absorb and practice these new abilities, which will inevitably boost their confidence and guide them towards reaching their next developmental milestone.

[Anonymous]

Hi Everyone! Thank you for your submissions. As many of you have stated, in music therapy, music for development and skill building go hand and hand. What Meredith and Beth are asking here, is differentiating between specifically targeting skills like numbers, counting, articulation that is addressed in music therapy from supporting overall development, growth, and health in a community music therapy environment like Sprouting Melodies. When families come to a Sprouting Melodies class we make a point of clarifying this to families and explaining how we are focused on supporting the overall development of their child and family dynamics and this may have an effect on speech, gross motor skills, etc., but we are not focused on addressing and developing any one specific skill in those larger domains.

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