1. What kind of musical application must a child work with in order to improve mental health?

Sing
Listen
Play an instrument
Improvisation
Composition
Group exercises
Rhythmic exercises

2. Which genres should be worked with in order to see improvement in the childs health?
The genre is not as important as the volume, the rhythm, the preference of the patient and
especially the goal of the individual child
Classical music (especially Beethoven and Mozart) can be used for various purposes. For
instance: relaxation, stimulation, energy

3. Where is music therapy primordially used? How have these institutions contributing to the
practice?
Spain has been the world leader in the development of music therapy and the study and
application of music to improve health:
o Spain is constantly developing studies and experimental tests
o The founded the first Association of Music Therapy in the world (founded by Professor Abimael
Guzman)
Argentina was the first Hispano-American country that incorporated a Music Therapy career in
1967
However, many of the important findings are made by American and Canadian universities
such as McGill (Montreal, Canada), North Eastern (USA) and University of Maryland (USA).

4. Within the process of the illness and in relation to the age of the child, when is the best
time to implement music therapy?
Any time within the course of the illness is fine as long as it isnt an obligation for the child, or
something that he is not enjoying
If his health is being compromised, then the program should be discontinued
In relation to age: music stimulates children early on, but in reality helps children of all ages
combat their diseases and improve their activity

5. How is the growth of the child evaluated?
Keeping in mind the initial evaluation and always coming back to the objectives set at the
beginning of the therapy
Musical improvement: the stages of the improvement are evaluated based on the sonic
gesture that the child demonstrates
Emotional improvement: observation is key. The information and results collected are
qualitative, not quantitative
Physical improvement: evaluation based on the results of the childs basic exams Success of
the program is measured when the results at the end of the therapy are compared to those before
it.

6. Who are the specialists in these areas?
Music therapist (main specialist)
Music therapists graduate on a career on music therapy
Psychiatrists, doctors, psychologists and teachers in special education

7. What are the responsibilities of a music therapist?
Develop the aspects related to emotional wellbeing, physical health, social functioning,
communication and cognitive abilities based on the musical responses.
Plan sessions for individuals or groups keeping in mind the necessities of the patients, working
with: musical improvisation, receptive auditory responses, analysis of songs, expressive-creative
activities (drawing, dancing, modeling, moving, body expression, etc.)
Manage the development and follow-up of the patient

8. Why are these methods effective in improving mental health? (ASPECTO DE SALUD)
Their dopamine levels, the chemical substance that produces an effect of pleasure on the
human body, are up to 9% higher when hearing something that is pleasing
Listening to music that is happier favors good cardiovascular health. Studies have proven that
when we listen to something that we like, our veins and arteries dilate 26%.

9. How exactly does music therapy improve a childs health? (ASPECTOS PSICOLGICOS Y
EMOCIONALES)
Develops the capacity of attention and concentration
Stimulates the imagination and creative capacity
Improves short and long term memory
Creates a sense of order and analysis
Facilitates learning
Improves linguistic and cognitive abilities
Musical applications (mentioned earlier) address specific aspects:
o Singing: vocabulary, linguistic composition
o Listening: attention, recognizing new and old sounds, relaxation
o Improvisation: confidence, freedom, choice, creativity
o Composition: creativity, imagination, storytelling
o Group exercises: motor functions, interpersonal relationships
o Rhythmic exercises: coordination, physical endurance