music lessons or music therapy

[cheyanne12]

Is anyone's child taking music lessons, and if so at what age did you begin? How about music therapy?

I know our kids love music, but I'm really wondering how many of our kids are taking music lessons or are more of us doing the music therapy route?

[AidansMom]

My son started music therapy about a year ago, and he adores it. She works on speech and fine motor skills, and we've actually seen more speech progress from music therapy than from speech therapy. Aidan signs along with many of the songs she sings and he loves playing the drums, xylophone, keyboard, guitar, etc. Music therapy has definitely been a very positive experience for us.

[Chris too]

Music therapy is not so widely available. We'd have to travel ~60 miles each way to get it. Stevie's SLP does incorporate some amount of music therapy with the speech. All of my kids get at least a few years of dance, and Stevie will not be the exception. She loves to watch and tries at every opportunity to join the classes. Next fall she'll be old enough to begin (the studio where we take lessons has classes for 3-y-o kids). My second daughter has opted for Children's Choir instead of dance this year, and is loving it. I'm pretty sure that one or two of her siblings will eventually follow her there. I would love for them to take lessons in some musical instrument, but time limits them to one activity each, so I can't see it happening.

Chris too

[lespring]

Angela gets music therapy every day at school! (I know..so very cool!) She absolutely loves it.

But...there are other areas of the music curriculum at school that she's not included on (though not without my making a ruckus about it!) At the moment, because of a musical I'm involved in, she's very interested in voice lessons. I'm having a hard time finding someone who will do this for us. (insert big sigh here) But I will continue to work on it until I find someone!

[liasmom]

Lia started Piano at age 7. She is doing the Little Mozart Program. The teacher actually comes to school once a week for lessons. The first book went well, even though she does NOT look at the book. She memorizes. The second book we are doing now and she struggles but also has a bunch of health things ongoing. I think whatever age you can get them to sit for a while you can start at. IF she would actually look at the pages, it would be easier. Nancy

[Ericsmomma]

I would love Eric to have music therapy, but there isn't anyone around here who teaches it.
When he was younger, (3-5yrs) he did "Kindermusic", which he loved. But it was a preschool class in the daytime. It was neat, cuz Mom/Dad got to stay and participate. Very nice time together.