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Together is a new resource for anyone affected by pediatric cancer - patients and their parents, family members, and friends.
Learn MoreMusic therapy uses music to promote healthy coping during medical treatments. It helps children express themselves and connect with others.
All patients can benefit from music therapy. A musical background or music skills are not needed.
Music therapists are part of the care team. They work with psychologists, social workers, and other experts to develop the best therapy for each child.
The brain processes information such as sights and sounds. These things help us make sense of the world around us. Music allows us to understand complex ideas.
Music therapy activates areas of the brain that control our emotions, memory, and physical movement.
Music therapy offers many benefits. It may help to:
Music can bring about powerful images, feelings, or thoughts. Talk with your child’s care team about how music therapy can be part of their care plan.
Music therapists use different activities as they work with patients. A patient in music therapy may:
The type of music therapy may vary by age and level of development. Infants in music therapy may:
A music therapist may also ask the caregiver to sing to the infant. This activity has many benefits and may promote bonding of the child and the caregiver.
Music therapy can help toddlers:
For school-aged children, music therapy can help with physical, emotional, social, and academic needs. It offers the chance to express thoughts and feelings that may be difficult to express. It can help them:
Older children and teens in music therapy may listen to, create, or study music and lyrics. Music therapy can help teens:
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Reviewed: October 2023