Resources & references

Watch how children 0-2 and their parents engage in interactive music experiences to address developmental milestones in a music therapy group called "Danzando en Pañales" (Dancing in Diapers). 

This anthology of Carolyn Kenny’s works (1979–2006) showcases her writings and contributions to music therapy and Indigenous studies, revealing the deep interplay between these fields and integrating multiple disciplines that shape music therapy education, practice, and research.

Music therapists at the Montreal Children’s Hospital use instruments, vocals, and musical experiences to support children’s physical, cognitive, social, and emotional goals while promoting healing and a sense of safety for children and their parents through music therapy.

This news report describes the impact of music therapy on blind/visually impaired children.

This literature review explores existing research pertaining to speech and language development in young children, both in the field of music therapy and from other fields which may be relevant to music therapy practice. It seeks to determine the treatment implications for music therapists.

Click here to watch a playlist of music videos to target speech sounds.

This study compares the impact of play-based and music-based group sessions on attention behaviours in blind/visually impaired preschoolers. Results indicated greater attentive behaviour in the music-based sessions.

This systematic review indicates that music interventions compared to standard care may have beneficial effects on anxiety, depression, hope, pain, and fatigue in adults with cancer. The results of two trials suggest that music interventions may have a beneficial effect on anxiety in children with cancer. For several outcomes, music therapy interventions delivered by a trained music therapist led to consistent results across studies. The abstract is available in many languages. 

This book, written by music therapist Guylaine Vaillancourt, is divided in two parts. This book is intended to make parents, educators and care-givers aware of how music and music therapy can benefit children. It also explains how the purposeful use of music by music therapy professionals can restore, maintain or enhance physical and psychological well-being of children. 
 

This research study interviews experienced music therapists of diverse cultural backgrounds. The results provide recommendations on how to build safety in the therapeutic relationship among children and adolescents who have experienced trauma.

Heather Overly, a board-certified music therapist, discusses how music therapy can support children with  developmental disabilities. Through live session examples and interviews, she demonstrates how group music therapy can meet therapeutic goals such as self-expression, academic skills, and social skills.

Watch music therapist Karen Hook describe how she uses music therapy with autistic children and children with learning disabilities. 

Click here to watch part 2 of the documentary.

Watch a video on the use of music therapy for autistic children featuring music therapists Blythe LaGasse, Jody Wilfong, and Erica Lyles. Both parent and music therapist testimonials are included.

Click here to watch part 1 of the documentary.