Source One

Nemesh, B. (2016). Family-based music therapy: From dissonance to harmony. Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, 26(2), 167–184. doi:10.1080/08098131.2016.1144638  

 In this study, the researcher examined the use of music therapy with families with severe communication deficits. Participants were three families who engaged in six sessions of group music making, exploring family communication and interaction with one another. Throughout the sessions, participants began to listen to each other more, and use the various instruments they had selected to create music together. Results indicated an increase in communication among family members.  This article is helpful in developing ideas for music games for families to play at home together, especially that focus on strengthening communication. 

Source Two

Pasiali, V. (2012). Supporting parent-child interactions: Music therapy as an intervention for  promoting mutually responsive orientation. Journal of Music Therapy, 49(3), 303–334. doi: 10.1093/jmt/49.3.303  

 In this study, the researcher examined how music therapy could be used to aid mutually responsive orientation. Mutually responsive orientation is cooperation in shared activities between parent and child, as well as shared affect in response to one another.  The participants were four low-income families with a history of material depression. Participation in greeting and farewell rituals, as well as various musical activities enabled a positive, engaging atmosphere for interaction. Results indicated that these activities provided new ways for the family members to connect to one another and aided in the development of mutually responsive orientation.  This article is helpful in learning more about parent-child interaction, and how interventions at home can be used to develop relationships through positive interaction.  

Source Three

Yun, Y. B., & Kim, J. E. (2013). The Effects of the Orff Approach on Self-Expression, Self-Efficacy, and Social Skills of Children in Low-Income Families in South Korea. Child Welfare, 92(4), 123–158.  

In this study, researchers used the Orff Approach principles in a music therapy setting to increase self-expression, self-efficacy, and social skills in children. The children were from low-income families participating in a tutoring program at a University in South Korea. The researchers express that a complication for children in this population is emotional deficit due to multiple factors. The research suggests that the Orff Approach resulted in significant increase in all goal areas for the children that participated in the study. While these sessions were not conducted with parents and were led by a music therapist, I would like to try to develop some at home games that can be done between child and parent that allow for the same freedom of expression and support characteristic of the Orff Approach, which will help develop skills in these goal areas as well.