Music has a power to open lines of communication with children...
Just minutes before parent orientation for a new semester of students, one of our teachers received a call from a friend who was expecting. She explained that there were complications with her unborn daughter, and it would be too difficult for their family to manage both caring for a sick newborn and participating in Let's Play Music. After sharing a few tears and words of understanding, the teacher said she would be happy to have Carson, the 5-year-old son, join if the family's circumstances changed.
Tragically, a week later, the teacher attended the funeral of her friend's 3-day-old daughter. A few days after the funeral, the friend reached out to ask if there might still be a spot for Carson in the Let's Play Music class. She wanted to maintain some normalcy for her children during such a difficult time, and she thought music class would be a positive and supportive outlet for Carson, a very active boy who needed a caring teacher.
A Glimpse into Grief and Healing Through Music
Before Carson joined class, his mom shared that he hadn’t talked about the death of his sister. He would sometimes act out at home, but he never mentioned her. Their grief counselor assured them this was normal and he might never talk about it, but they should keep the lines of communication open.
Carson joined class for Lesson 3 so his mom could be there with him. It quickly became clear that he would be a challenging student—always moving and talking out of turn. He wandered around, sat in corners, and told stories in the middle of class. He was often reminded to wait until after class to share his stories.
The Turning Point
Everything changed the moment that the class listened to the lullaby, “May There Always Be Me.” Suddenly, Carson raised his hand and said, “That’s a song we should sing to my sister.” He continued, “She isn’t here anymore. She is in heaven, but I think she can still hear us. They put her in a box and sent her to heaven.” The teacher was stunned. No one had expected him to mention his sister, let alone share so much. He spoke as long as he needed and the class listened.
A Window into His Heart
Carson’s mom was deeply moved. He had never talked about his sister before, not even to her. The grief counselor had told them not to expect him to speak about it, but this moment gave significant insight into his feelings.
In the weeks that followed, Carson had moments of tears and acting out during music class, but he also began answering questions and showing his knowledge. The behaviors that once seemed disruptive were actually signs of him processing and learning. Carson was paying attention all along, and music became a way for him to express his emotions and heal. His family gained a new understanding of his experience, and the music class played a significant role in supporting his journey through grief.
The Power of Music Beyond Notes and Chords
Teaching Let’s Play Music or attending classes as a parent provides opportunities to see firsthand how music positively impacts kids and families. This one moment—Carson sharing his story after singing a lullaby—illustrates how deeply important teaching music can be. It reinforces the truth that music holds power beyond notes and chords. It can heal, connect, and support children in ways we often overlook. This experience proves that every child deserves music in their life, not just for typical educational benefits, but for the profound impact it can have on their well-being.
Kommentare