JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – For years, medical professionals have been using music to help with their healing practices.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, exposing children to music helps increase their attention span and enhances their learning abilities.
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"When an infant starts dancing and they start moving to music, they're able to take in the music receptively, process it out, and then their body is able to show it through expressive dancing," said Jennifer Puckett, a music therapist who owns Therabeat.
Puckett spends an hour a week with Brookan, a 5-year-old who has Down Syndrome and struggles with developmental delays. She works on managing transitions between activities.
"For example, if we're going to move and sit down on the floor," Puckett said. "And, that gives her more time to process that directive and the rhythm provides the structure."
Puckett said she has some recommendations for parents who have a child with developmental challenges.
"I think early intervention is huge, getting them the most you possibly can, making sure that your therapist is someone that you can talk to and really talk about your home struggles," Puckett said. "I also think it's great to find something motivating for your child. The great thing about music therapy is that you don't have to have musical ability to be successful."
Experts also say music therapy can help kids communicate better, as well as help with their self-expression and motor skills.