Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes: Using music therapy approaches to support and enhance the development of gross motor skills in children who are blind or have low vision.

Sight – of all the senses – is acknowledged to be the one we rely on the most for gaining knowledge about the world around us. Being born blind or with low vision poses challenges for a child’s development. They are able to learn basic gross movements, but their skills of balance, proprioception and body awareness can be impacted. Although it has been recognised that children with a visual impairment need extra input to strengthen these core skills there is very little research in this area. This study aimed to see how I integrated movement specific musicking and musical play in my music therapy practice, and to examine its impact on the development of gross motor skills. Case study research method was employed with two children. The music therapy sessions were play-based and client-led. This way I observed the children in their natural environments, noting their lived experiences in how they executed gross motor movements and their challenges and successes. Data were collected through observations of my normal music therapy practice and analysed through thematic, secondary analysis. Five themes were derived from my findings that were a feature of my work and were common to both children. These were 1) purposeful selecting of goal-based songs, 2) employing musical elements to heighten the auditory experience, 3) making use of musical instruments to embody the physical, 4) using props for tactile feedback in order to enhance their learning, and to stimulate the imagination in pretend play, and 5) making it real through role play. Examples of the children’s play and activities and my reflections are included to illustrate the findings. Not only did I discover strategies and approaches used in the music therapy sessions that successfully enhanced the children’s development of gross motor skills but both children also showed increased stamina and more confidence in moving. This qualitative study has raised awareness of the embodied physical properties of music therapy. However, only two cases were studied. Further research to expand on the line of enquiry would be insightful and valuable.