The Benefits of Music Therapy for Toddlers and Preschoolers
- Academic Explorers
- May 26
- 3 min read
When our Music & Movement teacher, Ms. Sabrina, walks into an Academic Explorers classroom holding her guitar, the energy shifts instantly. Eyes light up, little feet start tapping, and a chorus of excited voices fills the room.
It’s a beautiful moment to watch, but what is happening in that room goes far deeper than a fun sing-along.
On a recent episode of the Magnify Child Care podcast, hosts Danielle and Ms. Rochelle sat down with Ms. Sabrina to dive into her background as a New York State licensed music therapist. During the conversation, she shared an essential truth that completely redefines how we look at music in early childhood education: Music therapy is not entertainment. It is an intentional, evidence-based practice designed to unlock a child's developmental potential.
The Crucial Difference: Entertainment vs. Therapy
It’s easy to confuse a children's musician with a music therapist, but their daily goals look entirely different.
While an entertainer performs for children to keep them happy and engaged, a licensed therapist uses music as a clinical tool to reach non-musical milestones. Ms. Sabrina holds a specialized degree from Molloy University in Rockville Center, where her training blended intensive music study with advanced psychology, therapy concepts, and rigorous fieldwork.
When she implements her structured lesson plans across all four of our Academic Explorers locations (Roosevelt, Merrick, Uniondale, and SUNY Old Westbury), she is assessing individual needs and tracking growth in real-time to see the benefits of music therapy for toddlers.
"We assess our children and then identify certain goals they need to work on. It helps them in cognitive, emotional, physical, or communicative areas. The difference between entertainment and music therapy is that you are working toward a specific goal with documentation." — Ms. Sabrina, Music & Movement Teacher
1. Embracing the Benefits of Music Therapy for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Young children naturally respond to rhythm and melody. Because music engages multiple areas of the brain simultaneously, it serves as an incredible vehicle for learning and development.
Ms. Sabrina shared exactly how these targeted sessions help our little explorers reach critical behavioral and social benchmarks:
Mastering Transitions and Routines: Every session begins with a dedicated "Hello Song" and ends with a "Goodbye Song." This predictable structure teaches infants, toddlers, and preschoolers how to navigate transitions smoothly, signaling when it's time to focus and when an activity is wrapped up.
Building Patience and Social Cues: A common goal in early childhood is learning how to wait. Ms. Sabrina designs small-group musical activities where children practice waiting their turn to play a specific instrument. They might start by successfully waiting 3 seconds, which the team gradually expands to 10, 20, or 30 seconds over time.
Supporting Neurodiverse Learners: Ms. Sabrina has a deep passion for working with children on the autism spectrum. For children who struggle with traditional communication or face sensory challenges, music often bypasses those hurdles, allowing them to express themselves, interact with peers, and build social confidence in a non-threatening environment.
Looking to the Future: Integrated Support
Because of the outstanding success of our group Music & Movement sessions, we are actively looking into expanding our program. Ms. Sabrina is currently researching specialized preschool grants to bring even more clinical instruments into our facilities. Her long-term vision includes integrating music therapy directly into student IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) to offer dedicated, one-on-one therapy sessions right here at our centers.
Providing this level of highly specialized, inclusive care is part of our unwavering commitment to putting the child first.
Catch the Full Episode
Want to hear more about Ms. Sabrina's incredible journey—including the fierce dedication it took to pass her board exams (10 times!), and her special "AE A+" shout-out to the phenomenal staff and students at our SUNY Old Westbury location?
Tune in and watch the complete conversation on this episode of the Magnify Child Care Podcast on YouTube.
Experience the Academic Explorers Difference
We don't just provide child care; we build comprehensive enrichment programs that nurture your child's mind, body, and creative spirit. From our dedicated Music & Movement curriculum to our warm, welcoming classroom communities, we set the stage for a lifetime of successful learning.
We invite you to come see our enrichment programs in action!
Schedule a Private Tour at any of our Long Island locations.
Learn More About Our Programs from infancy through preschool.
Have questions about enrollment or schedules? Give us a call today at (516) 535-9691 to speak with our enrollment team!
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