The effects of an integrated early childhood music program on social interaction among children with handicaps and their typical peers

Journal/Book: Journal of Music Therapy. 1991; 28: 161-177.

Abstract: Examined the effects of an integrated early childhood music program on social interaction among children with handicaps and their typical peers. 15 students (aged 4 yrs) from a typical preschool and 12 students (aged 3-5 yrs) with moderate levels of mental retardation came together once weekly at the typical preschool for integrated music sessions. For 15 sessions following the pretests, the music therapist used specific strategies to foster interaction. A trend analysis indicated that interaction among the children increased following the music therapy intervention phase. A questionnaire was submitted to the 5 staff members. All agreed that the program had facilitated peer interaction and had fostered acceptance of differences among individuals. ABSTRACT 2: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an integrated early childhood music program on social interaction among children with handicaps and their typical peers. A field test was conducted with fif- teen students (age 4) from a typical preschool, and twelve students (ages 3 to 6) with moderate levels of mental retardation from a county development cen- ter. The children came together once weekly at the typical preschool for inte- grated music sessions. For fifteen sessions following the pretests, the music therapist employed specific strategies to foster interaction. A trend analysis indicated that interaction among the children increased following the music therapy intervention phase. A questionnaire was sumitted to the five staff members involved with the project; all agreed that the program had facilitated peer interaction and had fostered acceptance of differences among individuals.

Note: integrated early childhood music program; social interaction; moderately mentally retarded 3 5 yr old preschool students & nonretarded peers

Keyword(s): Trainable mentally retarded; social interaction; peer relations; music education; preschool students; childhood. early-childhood, music, preschool, children, normal, normal-subjects, social-integration, integration, interac- tion, mental-retardation, developmental-disabilities.

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