Every child develops at their own pace, but it can be worrying when your child is using fewer words than expected, struggling to combine words, or finding it difficult to communicate their needs and ideas.
Music can provide a powerful and motivating pathway to communication. Through singing, rhythm, movement and play, children are encouraged to listen, imitate, take turns, use gestures, vocalise and develop early language skills in a fun and engaging environment.
As a Registered Music Therapist, I use evidence-informed music experiences to support communication development while fostering connection, confidence and enjoyment.
Is This Right for My Child?
Music therapy may be helpful for children who:
Supporting Parents to Support Communication
One of the most important parts of my work is helping parents feel confident in supporting their child's communication development throughout everyday life. Parents/Caregivers are a child's most important communication partners! Not the therapist!
Many of the strategies used in music therapy can be easily incorporated into daily routines such as mealtimes, bath time, car trips, getting dressed and play.
Parents are encouraged to participate in sessions where appropriate and are provided with practical ideas they can continue using at home. These may include both music-based and non-musical strategies designed to encourage interaction, attention, imitation, turn-taking and communication.
Rather than communication development only occurring during a therapy session, the goal is to help create many opportunities for connection and communication throughout the week.
How Can Music Support Communication?
Music naturally captures children's attention and creates opportunities for meaningful interaction. Through carefully designed musical experiences, children can practise and develop:
What Do Sessions Look Like?
Sessions are playful, engaging and child-centred. Activities may include:
Working Alongside Other Supports
Music therapy can complement other services your child may be receiving, including speech pathology, occupational therapy and early intervention programs.
Where appropriate, I can collaborate with other members of your child's support team to help create consistent and meaningful communication opportunities across environments.
Meet Sarah
Hi, I'm Sarah, a Registered Music Therapist and founder of Music Therapy Wellness.
I hold a Master of Music Therapy from The University of Queensland and have extensive experience supporting young children with communication differences, developmental delay, neurodivergence and disability.
My approach is warm, playful and relationship-based. I believe children learn best when they feel safe, connected and genuinely engaged.
Get in Touch
If you're wondering whether music therapy might be a good fit for your child, I'd love to hear from you.
Get in touch to arrange an initial conversation and discuss how music therapy may support your child's communication development.
Music can provide a powerful and motivating pathway to communication. Through singing, rhythm, movement and play, children are encouraged to listen, imitate, take turns, use gestures, vocalise and develop early language skills in a fun and engaging environment.
As a Registered Music Therapist, I use evidence-informed music experiences to support communication development while fostering connection, confidence and enjoyment.
Is This Right for My Child?
Music therapy may be helpful for children who:
- Are using fewer words than expected for their age
- Have been described as a "late talker"
- Are waiting for speech pathology services
- Find it difficult to engage in traditional learning activities
- Enjoy music, singing and movement
- Need support with attention, interaction and turn-taking
- Benefit from playful, relationship-based approaches
Supporting Parents to Support Communication
One of the most important parts of my work is helping parents feel confident in supporting their child's communication development throughout everyday life. Parents/Caregivers are a child's most important communication partners! Not the therapist!
Many of the strategies used in music therapy can be easily incorporated into daily routines such as mealtimes, bath time, car trips, getting dressed and play.
Parents are encouraged to participate in sessions where appropriate and are provided with practical ideas they can continue using at home. These may include both music-based and non-musical strategies designed to encourage interaction, attention, imitation, turn-taking and communication.
Rather than communication development only occurring during a therapy session, the goal is to help create many opportunities for connection and communication throughout the week.
How Can Music Support Communication?
Music naturally captures children's attention and creates opportunities for meaningful interaction. Through carefully designed musical experiences, children can practise and develop:
- Listening and attention skills
- Joint attention and shared engagement
- Turn-taking and social interaction
- Imitation of sounds, actions and words
- Vocal play and experimentation
- Gesture use and non-verbal communication
- Early words and phrases
- Confidence communicating with others
What Do Sessions Look Like?
Sessions are playful, engaging and child-centred. Activities may include:
- Singing familiar and new songs
- Action songs and movement experiences
- Instrument play
- Turn-taking games
- Musical storytelling
- Cause-and-effect activities
- Opportunities to make choices and communicate preferences
- Parent participation and coaching where appropriate
Working Alongside Other Supports
Music therapy can complement other services your child may be receiving, including speech pathology, occupational therapy and early intervention programs.
Where appropriate, I can collaborate with other members of your child's support team to help create consistent and meaningful communication opportunities across environments.
Meet Sarah
Hi, I'm Sarah, a Registered Music Therapist and founder of Music Therapy Wellness.
I hold a Master of Music Therapy from The University of Queensland and have extensive experience supporting young children with communication differences, developmental delay, neurodivergence and disability.
My approach is warm, playful and relationship-based. I believe children learn best when they feel safe, connected and genuinely engaged.
Get in Touch
If you're wondering whether music therapy might be a good fit for your child, I'd love to hear from you.
Get in touch to arrange an initial conversation and discuss how music therapy may support your child's communication development.