In March I wrote a blog series called Sensory Integration Not Just for Autism Spectrum Disorders, in which I discussed a multi-sensory approach that includes visual, auditory and tactile interventions to provide support for individuals with sensory needs. This month I have been blogging about the importance of rhythmic entrainment techniques in music therapy as an integral part of the multi-sensory approach. In the first post, “What is Rhythmic Entrainment and Why is it Important in Music Therapy?” I stated that Rhythmic Entrainment in music therapy is a specialized practice used to assist in helping people become more “in tune” to their own rhythm and the rhythms of the world around them. Last week in the blog about the importance of “Rhythmic Entrainment for Motor Planning” I briefly mentioned that even those individuals that can’t move their bodies can still benefit from rhythmic entrainment techniques because the brain can still receive and respond to rhythmic stimulus even when the body cannot.
The thing about the music therapy session is that you can address multiple goals and objectives at the same time! So while I am singing or chanting and playing or moving rhythmically with my clients, I am addressing motor development (or rehabilitation), cognition, language development and social skills simultaneously. The how and why of this comes back to how the brain responds to music; “All music therapy goal-directed activity is aimed first and foremost at enhancing the functioning capacity of each client’s brain” (Taylor, 1997 p. 14). So when my clients are actively involved in the music making process, the entire brain is working. We cannot tell one part of the brain to wait because we only want to activate the language centers right now, and then tell the language centers to stop while we address motor ability. Even if that were possible it would defeat the purpose of a holistic approach to therapy that is inherent in music therapy.
There are many different languages, spoken, signed and body language are used throughout the world. We need an effective method of communication or our needs may not be met. Babies cry when they are hungry, sick or need to be changed. Communication develops as the child develops so language development becomes a very important goal in music therapy. Also language has rhythm already built into the way we speak and our emphasis and inflections. I use many techniques for language development in my music therapy groups. Last week I described the way I use the “HiDa” song with maracas as a basic beginning rhythmic entrainment technique. This song is also great for early language learners because the words, while they don’t really mean anything, have 4 syllables that are easy to pronounce. With older kids and adults that are in rehab, I use similar techniques but the music is age appropriate and the presentation is different. The multi-sensory approach that I use in my music therapy sessions includes not only singing, dancing and instrument play, but also includes singing books. (click here to read the blog “The importance of pictures in music therapy”) There are many children’s books out there in the big world and I have an extensive bibliography of books that I use in my music therapy practice. I choose books based on subject content but also based on rhythm and rhyme. Some of the books are as simple as the “Brown Bear” series by Bill Martin, Jr., which I sing with a simple 3 note melody. Others I may chant while having the kids pat to the beat. I have 6 books that I created music sound tracks, a repetitive chorus and sign language. The children love these activities and request them every week. I will be sharing more about these books and how I use them in upcoming blogs.
Next week I will be posting about how rhythmic entrainment techniques can lead to social awareness.