Music in the Classroom: Active and Receptive Music Therapy for Schools 

Description

Concept by Cristina Salvatori

Music is around us every moment of the day and gives us the possibility to see the world differently. It enhances senses, brings back memories, and develops our emotions and feelings – including fear, joy, sadness, euphoria, and many more.

What if we could bring it to the classroom as a therapy for the mind, to reduce stress and anxiety, and help our focus? 

This course aims to introduce music as a therapy in the classroom. It will provide participants with quick and easy music skills applicable to the classroom to help release stress and anxiety, and improve the general working environment.

Participants will learn how to liberate emotions through music, how to help students bond through music, and how to reduce stress and anxiety thanks to relaxation. Through active music therapy and under the assistance of an experienced trainer, they will also explore how to activate groups thanks to music games.

By the end of the course, participants will be able to apply quickly easy music therapy techniques to their daily routine to improve attention, bring a more peaceful work environment, and improve their efficiency.

Learning outcomes

The course will help the participants to:  

• Discover the benefits of therapy;
• Distinguish between Receptive and Active Music therapy;
• Understand how music therapy can be brought into the working environment;
• Improve and boost performance and focus on tasks through music therapy;
• Discover how to put words on emotions;
• Use music to ease ADHD and Autism.

Tentative schedule

Day 1 – Introduction to music therapy

• Introduction to the course, the school, and the external week activities;
• Icebreaker activities;
• Presentations of the participants’ schools;
• Receptive and Active Music therapy.

Day 2 – Music as a way to share feelings

• Introduction and listening session to songs chosen by the participant;
• What does music mean to you/ Putting words on emotions;
• Pyschomusical relaxation through the U-band pattern.

Day 3 – Active music therapy

• Discover and experience music through voice/sounds/the body;
• Initiation and manipulation of musical instrument.

Day 4 – Music to deal with autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders

• Understanding Autism and ADHD;
• How does music help these disorders;
• Analysis of case study.

Day 5 – Music in your environment

• Reflection on integrating music in your working environment;
• Writing a class plan/schedule including music;
• Presentation of the plan to the group.

Day 6 – Course closure and cultural activities

• Course evaluation: round-up of acquired competencies, feedback, and discussion;
• Awarding of the course Certificate of Attendance;
• Excursion and other external cultural activities.