Research shows that teaching sign language to all young children has a wide range of benefits, from enhancing social-emotional and preliteracy skills to supporting positive parent-child relationships. With "Sing & Sign for Young Children," early childhood professionals will have a fun, easy, and highly effective way to teach and…

Written by a team of creative and highly qualified music therapists, this publication provides content training for the use of group percussion strategies with mature adults. In fact, the book promotes senior peers as group facilitators and/or coleaders. The grace of this approach is that no previous musical training is necessary in order to…

The role of music and dance in counseling gifted students is discussed. Included are a rationale and description for both music and dance therapy as well as suggested activities and bibliographies. (DB)

Discusses the importance of musical experiences to the multiply handicapped and presents mechanical aids which allow the physically disabled to play string and percussion instruments. Some of these aids are illustrated. (SJL)

Twenty-one steps to aid in curriculum development are outlined, including reading or rereading assessment reports developed by teachers or other professionals; knowing the home, school, and community music resources; and determining and teaching prerequisite skills. Journal availability: National Association for Music Therapy, Inc., P O. Box 610,…

A music specialist presents guidelines for using music to help integrate handicapped children into mainstreamed settings. Basic concepts regarding the nature of disability and the possible options for mainstreaming are considered. She addresses eight types of problems which may be exhibited by handicapped students and suggests musical ideas for…

Discusses how Orff-Schulwerk methods are used to teach music ensemble skills to mentally retarded adolescents. The author describes how the analysis of basic musical tasks reveals the essential subskills of motor coordination, timing, and attentiveness necessary to music-making. Specific teaching methods for skill development and Orff…

The article discusses the roles of music education and music therapy in special education, specifically with reference to the concept of the individualized education program (IEP) as mandated by the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (P.L. 94-142). Journal availability: National Association for Music Therapy, Inc., P.O. Box 610, Lawrence,…

The author cites these benefits of music to the visually handicapped student: physiological music activities enhance psychomotor coordination and promote relaxation and the ability to cope with frustration; participation in music events encourages interaction with sighted peers. Organizations providing music instructional materials for the…

Provides background information on music therapy. Discusses how music therapy works in the public school setting and offers advice to music teachers. Explores music therapy and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, addressing the benefits of having access to music therapists. (CMK)

This article describes the objectives, teaching methods, and subject content of a fourteen-week group piano course for mentally retarded adults, entitled "Exploring Music through the Piano," that was presented by the author at the University of Kansas in the 1978 spring semester. (SJL)

Music activities for the elderly can stimulate creativity and help develop independence, self-confidence, and a sense of accomplishment. This study includes: (1) an attempt to learn the uses of music by and for older adults through an exploration of programs and activities that either have been or currently are being implemented; (2) an…

Six articles comprise this feature which explores ways in which educators and recreation leaders can respond to the needs of disabled individuals by adopting a flexible teaching style. The emphasis is on creative use of dance, movement, and music with children and adults having various disabilities. (IAH)

This compilation of 12 papers covers lesson planning; classroom use of dialogs, drills, audiovisual aids, music, games, stories, newspapers, field trips; and testing in the adult ESL classroom. (EKN)