Why join our Music & play group therapy sessions?

Our sessions are designed by a BPS accredited, fully qualified psychologist, guaranteeing that children not only enjoy themselves but simultaneously acquiring and enhancing essential skills.  Sessions are conducted by either qualified psychologists or qualified and experienced SEN teaching staff.  Our team members hold current extended DBS certificate.

 What are the benefits of participating in our group music therapy sessions?
 

We understand NHS waiting list can be pretty lengthy and private appointment are rather pricy for children with special needs and various learning disabilities. We designed the group sessions to help parent reduce a load of waiting list and pricy private sessions, to help children learn and develop in a joyful and empowered setting.   

Motivation to take part: Music sessions are effective for groups of children mostly as children enjoy music making and will be motivated to take part. This is particularly important for children who struggle to be engaged or maintain interest and attention in what they are doing, and who may be unwilling to try other forms of social activities such as board games, shared puzzles, or outside ball games.

Language & communication skills: Group music making allows children and adults to interact non-verbally, which is very useful for children who struggle to understand or to use spoken language.

Self-esteem & confidence: Group music making can be made accessible to all children, which means that group members can have equal roles in the group as divisions between adults and children, and between more and less able children will not be so obvious. This can raise individual children’s self-esteem and give children who have previously been unable to have a voice as sense of self. All children can be heard and differences in abilities can easily and unobtrusively be accommodated, making the music group less threatening for some children than other group situations.

Help easy disruptive behaviour: In music groups, children can easily be given opportunities to lead or direct others. This type of positive leadership experience can have an empowering effect on a child who struggles with a lack of self-esteem. Children who are very disruptive and attention seeking may ger into difficult cycles of behaviour with their parents, nursery staff where the child frequently receives negative attention through misbehaving and there is little time or energy left for more constructive interactions. In music groups, these children can be given the experience of being in control in a positive and creative way, which may be the first step in breaking the negative attention cycle.

Special Needs:  Some children with SEN find it hard communicate spontaneously due to autism, and other learning disabilities. Some of these children may also have difficulties understanding and/ or developing spoken language. Musical exchanges can be used to help children further develop language and communication skills in a distinctive manner. Our sessions are designed with specific therapy tools making them suitable for SEN children.