Music Classes Enhances the Lives of People with Down Syndrome

Music is an intrinsic part of all of us: rhythm in our heartbeat, breathing, and movements; melody in our laughing, moaning, crying, or singing; the full spectrum of human emotions is contained in all the various musical styles and genres. These powerful connections with music are hard-wired into our brains and we can access them when shown how, regardless of any disability.

Research shows that music lessons help special needs children improve their development while engaging them in a powerful expressive outlet. It’s proven to help people with Down syndrome:

• Social and Communication Skills

Music classes help children and adults with Down Syndrome improve communication skills. In addition, group music classes can promote many social interactions, encourage positive social development, and boost their self-esteem. The structure and interaction provided by music lessons are highly effective. Children learn to interact with the teacher as well as other people in the group. They learn how to work together to make music. This positive, and creative engagement is truly beneficial.

• MotorSkills, Movement, and Coordination

The rhythmic nature of music gives students a better understanding of movement and timing. Repeating tasks and working on rhythm helps them to improve their motor skills as well as hand-eye coordination. If kids have a hard time understanding speech or saying certain words, music can help. Often learning to imitate animal sounds is a great way to improve speech. It improves their articulation and over time allows them to improve their communication skills.

• Memory and Learning

Learning chants and songs is also a great way of improving memory as well as speech. The rhythm of the words can be played on a body part, drum or piano. Guessing games challenge the child to hear the song when you sing the words in your head while playing the rhythm of the song. There are many, many songs that incorporate actions so the child not only learns the names of body parts but has fun in the process.

Whoever you are, music can make your life better and brighter! To learn more and to find out if music lessonsare right for you, contact Judith now!!

Pain Management: How Alexander Technique Lessons can help

Did you know that your thought process can have a positive effect on your physical well-being? This is one of the skills you develop with the Alexander Technique, an educational method with over a hundred-year track record.

The Alexander Technique gives you a way to better understand how your body works. Through a course of one-on-one sessions with a certified Alexander Technique teacher, you will learn to:

• how to recapture the ease, and freedom of movement that we enjoyed as young children.
• how to release the stress so that it doesn’t compound your condition.
• return your body and mind to balance and gain a sense of control over your tension and stress responses.

Basically, The Alexander Technique empowers you to self-manage your conditions. It offers practical, proactive methods for dealing with the acute onset of pain and the challenge of getting through daily activities.

The Alexander Technique helps you find long-term relief without the side effects of drugs or the physical cost of surgery. Since you activate this process on your own, you know how to perpetuate its beneficial effects, long after your sessions are over.

And, once you have greater control over how you feel, your focus naturally swings to other areas of your life – to exercising, playing your favorite sport, going through a workday in greater comfort, or savoring a long walk. Rather than tuning out the constant static of pain, you re-awaken sensation and access a new reservoir of energy and enjoyment.

“The possibilities are numerous once we decide to act, not react”  — George Bernard Shaw.

One of the many famous people who have benefitted from lessons in the Alexander Technique was lucky enough to study F.M. Alexander himself, and started having lessons in his 80’s.