The imagine children's corner started in 2014. Our intent is to give children a voice by asking them for their explanations, perspectives, and everyday wisdom about music therapy in writings, drawings, and recordings.

Ed Gallagher and Marcia Humpal as well as Kirsten Meyer spearheaded the first attempt by asking children in their practice settings the ultimate question

“What is music therapy?”

This year, Mary Brieschke and Adrienne Steiner asked children in their respective settings the question

“What happens in music therapy?”

children speak

“Eman, what is music therapy?”

“My name is Eman and my favorite song is “Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle.”

Stand Up and Wiggle

by Kirsten Meyer

These children receive music therapy in an inclusion preschool classroom at an urban public school. Many of the children in the class come from Spanish-speaking households, and the school is in a relatively low income area. Music therapy goals are related to age-appropriate social interaction as well as developmentally appropriate academic progress. The children especially love interventions related to impulse control and following directions, which can be seen in their descriptions and pictures of music therapy; many of them referenced egg shakers, which are used in songs practicing quick changes such as "freeze!" and several referenced the song "Stand Up and Wiggle," which involves quickly progressing from standing up to wiggling to sitting back down. 

“So Nancy, what do you think music therapy is?”

“My name is Nancy and I like the wiggle song. Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle.”

“And you Magaly, what is music therapy?

“This is Magaly and my favorite song is wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, back down.”

“Mario, what is your understanding of music therapy?

“My name is Mario and I like the egg shakers.”

We R-O-C-K at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

by Ed Gallagher and Marcia Humpal

Karter and Shaniyah were two of the many young children who attended Toddler Rock sessions at Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Each week during the school calendar year, preschools from across the greater Cleveland area come to the Rock Hall not only to learn about famous musicians, but also to work with music therapists using music to enhance pre-literacy skills. Every two weeks, a new letter is introduced. Children learn songs that target the specified letters, actively utilize music as books are read to them, search the Rock Hall for musicians who names began with that letter, and play, move and listen to various genres of music. Classroom teachers discover how to use music to enhance literacy experiences, and use these skills in their daily teaching. During “O” week, one class shared a song they’d been working on at their home site. Listen to all the outstanding and outrageous O words they have to offer to imagine readers:

I Like to Sing Songs

by Mary Brieschke

Isabelle is a four-year-old girl whose baby sister, Morgan, was in the hospital for an extended period of time. Because Morgan was expected to be in the hospital for multiple weeks, some of her music therapy sessions were focused on developmental goals. When Isabelle was present, she loved participating by singing songs and playing instruments with her sister. One of Isabelle’s favorite things to do was create her own songs for her sister in lullaby styles, while I accompanied her on guitar. Including Isabelle in sessions promoted sibling and family bonding, as well as helped Morgan grow! By the time she was ready for discharge, Morgan was visually and aurally tracking, grasping instruments, kicking her legs, smiling, cooing, and vocalizing during music, especially when her family was involved. I got a chance to ask Isabelle about her experience in music therapy!

Music Lines Have 5

by Adrienne Steiner

Hi! My name is Ryan. I love music and both my parents play music a lot. My favorite instrument right now is the bells (colored desk bells). Sometimes my brother comes in to music with me. I am really good at singing the “Time to Go” song.

My picture has five large spots because music lines have 5 (meaning the staff).

You can hear me singing my favorite song, “It’s Time to Go” with signs (from the Brightstart curriculum) with my brother and Ms. Adrienne.

Siblings are welcome and participate in music therapy sessions at the St. Luke's Children's Hospital in Boise, Idaho.

Music therapy with Ryan, a 5-year old boy with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the Music Therapy Clinic, University of Louisville, Kentucky.