With Music in Mind supports parents and professionals as they use music to enhance the lives of children with neurodegenerative disease including vision impairment.

Illustrated cards outline practical activities, using an ability-led model to encourage active participation in music and sound-making at the different stages of neurodegenerative disease. In a portable format, with accessible language designed for non-specialists, this innovative resource empowers parents and professionals to use music pedagogically, therapeutically and recreationally in day-to-day life with their child.

The activities cover two broad areas:

• Music activities. These follow the Sounds of Intent framework of musical development, to focus on music itself and for its own sake. These include listening, playing and singing, and making music with others.
• Beyond music activities. These explore ways of engaging with music to promote wider development and to foster a sense of wellbeing. They cover topics such as socialising, feeling, communicating and understanding.

Based on pioneering research promoted by The Amber Trust and undertaken at the Applied Music Research Centre at the University of Roehampton by Professor Adam Ockelford, With Music in Mind supports carers as they scaffold the acquisition of skills and offer rich musical experiences both early on and in the later stages of a child’s life. They can be used in conjunction with the micro-songs available on The Amber Trust’s website (www.ambertrust.org).

Intended for use in educational settings and/or therapy contexts under the supervision of an adult. This is not a toy.