Music Lessons for Children with SEND in London
A survey has shown that 100% of OKMT pupils feel happy attending their music lessons.
Music has many benefits for children with special education needs. Interaction with music is proven to improve memory, focus, coordination, communication and self-expression.
Many children with special education needs and disabilities can struggle to concentrate and absorb information from mainstream music classes. A lack of appropriate support forces children to miss opportunities for all-round development and parents can find it difficult to feel proud of their achievements.
These children need specialist support and a learning curriculum adapted to their needs.
Over 30 years, Otakar Kraus Music Trust (OKMT) has developed specialised teaching techniques that help children with special needs to discover, develop and nurture their musical talents. The Trust works with children who have Down Syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy and other developmental delays.
Since 2018, we’ve been funding weekly music therapy and lessons for 19 children and young people with SEND at the OKMT. The students learn to sing, play instruments and understand basic music theory. With time, they gain confidence to perform in front of an audience. Some students even succeed in taking exams with The Royal Music School.
Music lessons help these children and teenagers to improve other vital skills such as concentration, communication and building trust. Through OKMT, both the students and parents can build a community and find a support network of friends.
“OKMT is not JUST music but also a vital space for children to develop, in a safe environment.”
Parents have reported that music lessons help their child to:
• Concentrate at school (60%)
• Deal with hypersensitivity to noise and crowds (44%)
• Engage with other activities in the community (44%)
“It has allowed my son to interact with others confidently. He has also learned to follow instructions and reply to an extent.”
“Otakar Kraus Music School has given my child confidence, resilience, and patience. The lessons helped to develop her concentration skills and memory. She feels part of something. She has built friendships with peers that she otherwise wouldn’t have had.”
Rosie’s Story
Throughout her early childhood, Rosie struggled to communicate through words but had a natural affinity for music. Able to sing before she could talk, constant medical intervention due to her multiple medical diagnoses had left Rosie feeling frightened and insecure.
Despite her natural talents, Rosie was too unconfident to ever sing in public – even afraid of going near a microphone! Since starting lessons at OKMT, Rosie's confidence has flourished. Today, Rosie has performed in public on many occasions, passed music exams and even made an appearance on national radio!
Without the specialist teaching from OKMT, Rosie would never have had the chance to develop her talent. She told us that she is "very proud" of all that she has achieved.
David’s Story
David has high functioning autism – he is very gifted in many ways, especially when it comes to music. Despite his natural talents, David struggled to concentrate on conventional music lessons and his mother struggled to find a suitable musical activity for him.
In 2018, David joined the Otakar Kraus Music Trust with funding from ArtSocial Foundation. Music lessons have taught David discipline with his music practice, knowing that it takes “weeks and weeks, and weeks to sound amazing”.
“If you’ve got a child with an ability and it’s just that they can’t concentrate properly–that there’s a specific thing holding them back–you know it isn’t going to be a problem [at the school].”
We're delighted to continue providing funding to OKMT so that more children with SEND can access specialised music lessons. With your support, more children can discover their talent, experience the joy of music and fulfil their potential.