Unleashing the Power of Musical Play: A Guide to How and Why It Works

Rich in practical insights and personal reflections from teachers and therapists, this book explains what musical play is, how and why it benefits children, and how it can be integrated into educational, community and clinical environments.

Wylie and Foster-Cohen explore the importance of musical play to human development and human relationships within families, in schools and in therapeutic contexts. The chapters address the evidence base of musical play, its value and use in therapeutic contexts, the roles of musical play in different cultures, and how musical play can enrich communities. Taking a holistic view, it highlights the role of musical play in cultural sustainability, human justice, and community well-being. The book supports learning through a broad range of practical examples of musical play in diverse settings around the world. The chapters are complemented by personal reflections from families, teachers, therapists and other professionals from around the world, who share their skills and experiences embracing musical play with the children in their care.

Engaging and accessible, even to those with little or no musical training, this book is an essential resource for pre- and in-service educators, as well as professionals in therapeutic fields, eager to learn more about how musical play can enhance the education and well-being of young people.

Julie Wylie, MNZM founded the New Zealand Musical Parenting Association in 1992. She was the founder of the musical play programme at the Champion Centre, Christchurch, New Zealand, where she was the senior music specialist for twenty-eight years. Julie has presented music workshops and papers around the world, including in China, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Australia, United Kingdom, Lithuania, Estonia and Finland. Julie has received international recognition for her music leadership and for her music resources. Julie was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2018. She has her own music school for mothers and babies and children aged 0-8 years founded in 1990 and is the Director of the Postgraduate online training programme, Certificate of Musical Play as Therapy.

Susan Foster-Cohen, PhD has published widely in the area of children’s communication and language development and has taught in universities in the UK, USA, France and New Zealand. Her current research focuses on language disorders in children with complex developmental disabilities. She was Director of the Champion Centre’s early intervention programme between 2004 and 2020, supporting Julie Wylie’s music programme as part of the internationally recognised multi-disciplinary model established by Dr. Patricia Champion. Susan is also an enthusiastic amateur clarinet and saxophone player.