The Benefits of Action Songs for Children with Autism: How ESDM Therapy Helps
Action songs, which combine music with specific movements, are a fantastic tool for helping children with autism develop crucial skills. These songs do more than just entertain—they play an important role in improving communication, social interaction, motor skills, and more. In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of action songs for children with autism, particularly within the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) framework. At our Bondi Junction and Mascot clinics in Sydney, we’re proud to offer therapy from Certified ESDM Therapists, ensuring that children receive top-quality, individualised support.
Enhancing Communication Skills through Action Songs
Action songs provide multiple benefits for improving communication in children with autism:
- Encouraging Speech: These songs often use repetitive words and phrases, which help children practice saying them. Over time, this repetition improves speech and communication abilities. Within an ESDM framework, our therapists in Sydney help children with autism use action songs as part of their communication goals.
- Building Vocabulary: The lyrics of action songs introduce new words related to body parts, animals, and actions. As children sing along, they expand their vocabulary, supporting better communication. In our Bondi Junction and Mascot clinics, this is integrated into our ESDM sessions to reinforce language development.
- Promoting Imitation: Imitation is a fundamental skill for learning to speak. Children with autism often struggle with this, but action songs encourage them to mimic movements and sounds. This builds their imitation skills, which are key in ESDM therapy.
Improving Social Skills through Action Songs
Action songs are also highly beneficial for improving social interaction in children with autism:
- Group Participation: Singing action songs in a group setting teaches children with autism how to participate in shared activities. This helps them practice social skills like following others and learning to play together, a focus area in the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM).
- Turn-Taking: Many action songs involve taking turns, which helps children with autism understand and practice this important social skill. Our Certified ESDM Therapists in Bondi Junction and Mascot use these songs to create engaging opportunities for turn-taking, a skill often needed in social interactions.
- Eye Contact and Joint Attention: Participating in action songs requires children to look at the teacher or other children, which improves eye contact and joint attention—two areas where children with autism often need support. In ESDM therapy, building joint attention is a foundational skill, and action songs are an effective way to practice it.
Enhancing Motor Skills through Action Songs
Action songs are also fantastic for motor development:
- Gross Motor Skills: Movements like jumping, clapping, and stomping in action songs help develop gross motor skills by strengthening large muscles and improving coordination. Our ESDM Therapists in Sydney incorporate these activities into therapy sessions to ensure children are developing motor skills while having fun.
- Fine Motor Skills: Some action songs include smaller movements, like finger play, which help develop fine motor skills. These skills are essential for tasks like writing and buttoning clothes. Our Certified ESDM Therapists in Bondi Junction and Mascot work on fine motor development through engaging action song activities.
- Body Awareness: Performing the movements in action songs helps children become more aware of their bodies, improving their ability to control their movements and understand how different parts of the body work together. This is a key goal in ESDM therapy, where body awareness plays an essential role in a child’s development.
Supporting Sensory Processing through Action Songs
Action songs also provide essential sensory input, helping children with autism process sensory information:
- Sensory Integration: Action songs combine movement, sound, and rhythm, providing sensory input that helps children with autism process sensory experiences more effectively. In our Sydney ESDM programs, action songs are used to support sensory integration, making it easier for children to cope with everyday sensory challenges.
- Calming Effects: The repetitive nature of action songs can have a calming effect on children with autism. The predictable patterns reduce anxiety and stress, helping children feel more at ease. Our Certified ESDM Therapists in Bondi Junction and Mascot often use action songs during transitions or when children need calming sensory input.
- Regulating Energy Levels: Depending on the song, action songs can be either energising or calming. This helps children with autism regulate their energy and emotions, whether they need to release extra energy or wind down.
Boosting Cognitive Development through Action Songs
Action songs also promote cognitive growth:
- Memory and Recall: Learning the words and actions of songs improves memory. Children practice recalling movements and lyrics, which strengthens their cognitive skills. ESDM Therapists in Sydney use action songs to help children develop these memory and recall abilities.
- Following Directions: Action songs often include specific instructions for movements, helping children practice listening and following directions—skills that are essential for cognitive development. Our Bondi Junction and Mascot clinics incorporate this into ESDM therapy sessions, supporting children in following multi-step instructions.
- Learning Concepts: Many action songs teach concepts like counting, colours, and shapes. Singing these songs reinforces educational ideas in a fun, engaging way, helping children learn while enjoying themselves.
Encouraging Emotional Expression through Action Songs
Action songs also help children with autism express their emotions:
- Expressing Feelings: Action songs provide a safe and fun way for children to express their emotions. Whether it’s showing happiness, excitement, or calmness, these songs help children explore and communicate their feelings.
- Building Confidence: Successfully participating in action songs boosts a child’s confidence. They feel proud of their ability to follow along and perform the actions, increasing their overall self-esteem. Our Certified ESDM Therapists in Bondi Junction and Mascot celebrate these successes, helping children gain confidence through fun and interactive learning.
- Connecting with Others: Engaging in these songs helps children with autism connect with their peers and therapists. This sense of connection supports their emotional well-being and helps them feel more comfortable in social settings.
Conclusion
Action songs offer a wide range of benefits for children with autism, especially when integrated into the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM). These songs improve communication, social skills, motor development, sensory processing, cognitive growth, and emotional expression. By incorporating action songs into daily routines and therapy sessions, parents and therapists can provide a fun and effective way to support children’s growth.
We’re Here to Support You
At OneOnOne Children’s Therapy, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to thrive. Our Bondi Junction and Mascot clinics are more than just therapy spaces—they are places where children can discover their strengths, overcome challenges, and reach their full potential.
Reach Out for Support
If you’re concerned about your child’s development or want to learn more about how our ESDM programs in Sydney can help your child, OneOnOne Children’s Therapy is here to help. Call us on (02) 80657837 or email us to book a free 30-minute consultation. Let’s discuss how we can support your child’s unique journey towards growth and success.
Our team of Certified ESDM Therapists, Speech Pathologists, and Occupational Therapists work closely together to deliver high-quality, individualised therapy to help each child achieve their full potential.
