Effetti della partecipazione a gruppi musicali per genitori e infanti su sviluppo comunicativo e genitorialità: confronto fra gruppi di flauto e di canto [= Effects of longitudinal music groups for infants and parents on communication and parenting: comparison between song and flute groups]

This chapter is included in an Italian book. The study reported here involved two separate parent-infant groups meeting weekly for three months and differentiated by the musical tool used by the group leader: flute or song. The groups were otherwise structured in the same way, with identical number and type of musical routines. A key aspect of the groups was that music was used as a communicative medium, not as entertainment. The interdisciplinary framework of the study combined structured, scientific observation and music therapy techniques. Qualitative analyses of interviews with participating parents highlighted some common themes as well as some specific themes for the two types of group. In general, parents felt that the groups had empowered them in their communication skills with their infants and that their infant had also acquired new communication skills. The study also piloted if the participating families would continue to use a CD with their group routines for three months following attendance, with very positive results.

Text in Italian.