Dorothy Denton

Music Education and Music Therapy:
Notes in Service of the Young Child

As more music therapists venture into working with very young children,  and more early childhood music educators work with special needs children,  there is a need to clarify the roles of each profession. When dealing with the development of the very young child the goals of education and therapy can blur. However,  it is important to delineate the roles and boundaries of music educators and music therapists while learning how to inform the other in a supportive manner. This can be done by creating a forum for discussion and sharing. It is important to understand what important resources we can be for each other,  educators and therapists,  while helping children. It is equally important to be aware of the limitations and legal boundaries of each field.

Children are holistic,responding with the whole of their existence,regardless of their gifts and needs. The continuum of developmental learning and observation &assessment is where the music therapist working with young children and the early childhood music teacher can find much common ground. In this session we will explore the commonalities of both professions,as well as the differences. The overlap of current best practices for the young child and evidence –based practice will be discussed. The emphasis will be on how both the art of teaching and the science of therapy contribute,through the elements of music and musical relationship,to the developmental health of ALL young children.

Session Objectives

1. Participants will delineate the limitations and legal boundaries of each field (music educators and music therapists) in the context of helping the development of all children through music
2. Participants will learn how to inform the other in a supportive manner with referral and in sharing resources

Bio

Dorothy S. Denton is in private practice in Richland County,Ohio and owner of MUSIC MOVES STUDIO,Mansfield,Ohio.  Dorothy has a strong interest in young children including those with developmental delays,neurobiological disorders and hearing impairments. She is currently developing a flexible,creative musical framework based on the DIR/ Floortime® model encouraging the growth of children in a family context.