From Reading & Other Learning Disabilities
A Blog by Dr. Gary G. Brannigan and Dr. Howard Margolis
Why is music important for people of all ages and for all children in school?
Just take a dose of rock ‘n’ roll—it keeps you going. Just like the caffeine in your coffee, rock ‘n’ roll is good for the soul, for the well-being, for the psyche, for your everything. I love it. I can’t even picture being without rock ‘n’roll. (Hank Ballard)
Can music therapy help? Maybe.
Emotions affect learning. And many children with reading disabilities have extremely negative emotions about reading. Maybe your child is depressed about his struggles. Maybe he keeps telling himself:
The longer such self-destructive thoughts and emotions plague children with reading disabilities, the longer their mental health, motivation to read, and their achievement will suffer. To reverse this, it’s critical to help them replace their negative, pessimistic emotions with positive, optimistic ones, ones that make them want to read, want to make the effort, want to enjoy a good book. For some children with reading disabilities, music may be key.
