Class Teaches Much More Than Music

Every Wednesday for the past three weeks, Emily Pellegrino, MT-BC, co-director of Connecticut Music Therapy Services has been conducting music therapy classes for special needs children at the .

As she enters the room, each child greets her in their own way. Their expressions range from traces of a grin for the most diffident to broad beams for the most extroverted. But, it is obvious the kids are all happy to be here.

Pellegrino kneels on a red rubber mat and strums her guitar as she sings the “hello song.” As the song continues, she walks around the assembled circle of children.

Pellegrino’s songs are all interactive and some even involve instrumental participation. Each delighted child gets the chance to strum her guitar for one song and beat on a conga drum for another one.

Some children stand up or even participate in accompanying choreography. On others, they sit and enthusiastically wield their shakers.

It becomes evident that the class is designed for kids to exercise more than just their vocal chords.

“We use musical experiences to achieve non-musical goals,” Pellegrino confirms.

These goals go beyond providing her students an outlet for physical exercise. Songs like “I’m Gonna Catch You, You Better Run” reinforce the kids’ learning of the days of the week. Other songs, such as “Shake Shake Shake” give them a chance to practice their motor skills. And the entire experience offers them a setting in which to develop their social abilities.

Pellegrino closes class similar to how it started with the group singing a special goodbye-song in which they individually wish each person farewell. The children seem reluctant to depart afterwards, but they all wear even bigger smiles than the ones they had when they arrived.