Music therapy is a growing field that has proven to be highly beneficial for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It helps them in ways such as increasing concentration, improving self-control, and improving mood. In this article, we’ll take a look at the different aspects of music therapy for children with ADHD and how it can help them manage their symptoms.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is a chronic condition including attention difficulty, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. Diagnosed initially in childhood, children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors, or being overly active.
According to multiple studies, music & ADHD have been shown to have a strong correlation. Here is a summary of their link & how music may help in aiding your child's ADHD, as discussed by Education 2.0 Conference’s experts -
Music has been used for centuries to help people with various physical & mental ailments. It's no surprise the benefits music provides for children with ADHD. Music introduces the concept of structure into a child's life. We all know music tends to have a rough structure: a beginning, middle, and end. A child struggling with low attention span or hyperactivity can find this to be quite comforting & subconsciously developmental for the brain.
Music stimulates the brain and produces positive hormones, such as dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter responsible for helping us feel happy, motivated, and alert. Experts at education conferences emphasized how an increase in dopamine levels helps with elevating attention & an overall increase in mental performance.
Learning an instrument may further aid children with regulating their emotions & increasing concentration levels. Using rhythm instruments significantly affects regulating natural biorhythms of the body, calming the child & allowing them to feel more at home with their environment. Group Music Therapy can be extremely useful in learning instruments & collaborating in an environment with other children struggling with ADHD as well.
With ADHD, children may sometimes feel overwhelmed & a sensation of being all over the place. It can be hard to focus on one thing at a time. Music, especially the introduction of white noise, acts as a natural relaxant in these cases, tunneling the child's focus on the task at hand. A decrease in anxiety levels can alleviate feelings of calmness & decrease hyperactivity in children not bothered by the presence of such background noise.
Children with ADHD tend to be down on themselves & suffer from low self-esteem. Indulging in music, especially picking up an instrument, can redefine your child's self-esteem. Learning an instrument provides a sense of structure to their lives & helps declutter their thought process. This leads to higher levels of self-confidence & allows the child to communicate more confidently with people around them.
Music can help children with ADHD develop the ability to focus on a task for a longer time. Upbeat rhythms have been shown to increase motivation & allow them to focus more easily.
Experts & researchers globally taking the stage at education conferences, notably at Education 2.0 Conference, held in the USA, have provided insight into how introducing music before children perform an activity can help shut down their brain's habit of focusing on distracting thoughts.
Music, though not a direct form of treatment, can be an excellent tool for children with ADHD. It aids in increasing focus, motivation & overall mental well-being. Learn more recent studies in this arena at the Education 2.0 Conference, being held in the USA & Dubai!
Shobhit Behal is a member of the Education 2.0 Conference’s organizing committee, has a sharp eye for details, and is keen on learning new things daily. There is so much to learn out there, which is why Education 2.0 Conference’s Dubai edition is ready to explore topics varying from EdTech fraud/scam/spam to combating the global talent shortage through skill development programs.
