Music for Speech Therapy: Overcoming Your Top 4 Concerns

Trust me, I’ve heard all the concerns about using music for speech therapy – from “I can’t sing” to “my students will get too wild!” But here’s the thing: with a few simple tweaks, music becomes one of your most powerful (and fun!) therapy tools.

1. I DON’T SEE THE POINT IN USING MUSIC FOR SPEECH THERAPY

You might be surprised to learn that research shows powerful connections between music and language development. This is why music for speech therapy is incredibly effective. Researchers found that “Music components, such as rhythm and melody perception as well as synchronization… play a main role in language development, mainly in terms of phonological awareness, grammar, prosody, and comprehension.”¹

Let me break down why this matters for therapy:

1. Phonological Awareness Development
   You know how we work so hard on those foundational speech sound skills? Research confirms that “the cadence, rhyme, and repetition of words in nursery rhymes and children’s songs help develop an awareness of speech sounds.”³ I’ve seen this in action – when we use musical activities, kids naturally tune into speech patterns in a way that traditional drill work just can’t match.
2. Grammar and Language Structure
   Let’s skip the trial and error – research shows that songs support “emergent language and literacy development through exposing children to the basic structure and sequence of sounds involved in language.“² Think about how naturally songs create patterns of language learning!
3. Early Communication Skills
   Trust me, I remember struggling to build those early communication skills in group settings. But studies show that music supports “children’s developing narrative skills, breath awareness, vocabulary, and active listening skills“² – all crucial skills we’re targeting in therapy!
4. Neurological Benefits
   Here’s my biggest “aha moment” from the research: “Music enhances communication abilities by unlocking the potential within a client’s neurology to both complement and improve speech skills.” ⁴ It’s not just about making therapy fun – we’re literally helping to wire their brains for better communication.

When we use music for speech therapy, we’re not just adding entertainment – we’re strategically tapping into how the brain processes both music and language. The research backs up what I’ve seen in practice: musical experiences from the “early stages of life” support everything from phonological awareness to narrative skills.

Want to see the impact yourself? Start with something simple like a rhythmic activity for syllable awareness. I bet you’ll notice a difference in student engagement and progress right away!

2. BUT I’M NOT MUSICAL

This is the most common concern I hear about using music for speech therapy. Trust me – you don’t need to be a trained musician to make this work. I’m certainly not! You simply need to be enthusiastic and demonstrate your love for music. Start with familiar tunes and simple rhythms. Your preschoolers will be too busy practicing their skills to notice if you miss a note!

I bet you know, deep inside, that kids respond to joy and engagement more than perfect pitch. I almost always feel self-conscious about my singing voice, but I do it anyway. Even if I sing completely off-key, I know the benefits of using music for speech outweigh my personal concerns. Just focus on the interaction, not the performance.

Here are some simple ways to build your confidence:

• Start with songs you already know well, like “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” or “Old MacDonald”
• Use simple rhythm activities with clapping or rhythm sticks instead of singing
• Try call-and-response songs where students only need to echo short phrases
• Focus on the therapeutic goals rather than your musical performance
• Remember that enthusiasm and engagement matter more than perfect pitch

If you REALLY can’t get past this, use pre-recorded songs. This way, you can sing softly, or simply mouth the words while the recording plays. As long as your mouth movements go along with the lyrics, your students probably won’t notice. Plus, using recordings gives you more freedom to focus on your students’ responses and participation.

I’ve been there, feeling nervous about using music for speech therapy. But after seeing how effectively it supports speech and language goals, I realized that imperfect music is far better than no music at all!

3. THE PLAYBACK SPEED IS TOO FAST FOR MY STUDENTS

Here’s another common concern with using music for speech therapy – the speed issue!

Sometimes the playback speed on recorded music goes way too fast. Many students need music played at a slower speed, at least in the beginning, to improve learning outcomes. Here’s a simple tip when using songs from YouTube: After you’ve picked a song, click on the settings icon on the bottom right. Then select “playback speed.” I usually set it to 75%. This rate slows down the music without distorting the lyrics or rhythm of the song. This helps students join in on gross and/or fine motor movements while increasing their comprehension. Once they have the hang of it, move the speed back to 100%.

Trust me, many of my students struggle to keep up with fast-paced songs. But rather than giving up on music altogether, I learned that adjusting the speed can make all the difference. Think about it – we modify other therapy materials all the time to meet our students’ needs, so why not do the same with music?

Here’s what I’ve discovered works well:

• Start super slow – even slower than you think necessary
• Practice the movements or target sounds without music first
• Add the slowed-down music once the basic patterns are established
• Gradually increase the speed as students build confidence
• Celebrate progress, even if you never reach 100% speed

You can also create natural slow-downs by using a simple drum or rhythm sticks to set a slower pace, or by breaking songs into smaller chunks. When we take our time with musical activities, students not only participate more but also retain the skills better!

4. MY STUDENTS WILL GET TOO WOUND UP

The fear that students will get too excited and lose focus is another concern about using music for speech therapy!

“How do I manage the energy level and keep students on task?” Balance is key! Alternate between high-energy and calming activities throughout your session. For example, after a jumping activity for /j/ sounds, transition to gentle seated arm movements for /s/ sounds. You can also switch between activities that require whole-body movements (like acting out action words) and those using hand motions (like fingerplays or sign language).

This pattern of activity not only helps with behavior management but also gives students practice in self-regulation and following different types of cues. Just remember to read your group’s energy level and be flexible – some days might need more calming activities, while others can handle more movement!

Truthfully, I also worry about this, and sometimes I still have difficulty keeping the lid on all that energy. But over the years, I’ve learned structured musical activities actually help students regulate their energy levels better than no music at all!

Here are some game-changing strategies I’ve learned along the way:

• Start each session with clear expectations about when we move and when we stay still
• Use visual cues (like a “movement” card and a “sitting” card) to signal transitions
• Keep a collection of calming songs ready for when you need to bring the energy down
• Create specific spots on the floor where students should stand or sit
• End each musical activity with a calm-down routine

Here’s my take: I’ve found that being proactive about energy management works better than avoiding music altogether. When students know what to expect and have clear boundaries, they’re actually more engaged and focused during musical activities. Plus, these natural opportunities to practice self-regulation are valuable therapy moments in themselves!

I’ve been there, watching a musical activity start to spiral. But with these strategies in place, music has become one of my most effective tools for maintaining engagement while managing behavior. Remember, it’s not about preventing excitement – it’s about channeling it productively!

While many therapists share common concerns about using music for speech therapy, the research is clear – music is a powerful tool for building speech and language skills. With a few simple adaptations, you can make music work effectively in your speech therapy sessions!

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Enjoy 16 therapy-ready YouTube videos and 12 carefully crafted songs, each matched to specific speech and language goals. From “All About Me” to pronouns and verbs, these musical resources make learning effective and fun. With student attention spans shorter than ever and therapy time at a premium, you need resources that instantly engage and deliver results. No more scrambling for songs or rewriting lyrics on the fly. Enter your email for instant access to your FREE musical starter pack, organized, and ready for your therapy room.

• ¹The Association between Music and Language in Children: A State-of-the-Art Review
• ²Music Together: Current Research Areas in Music
• ³Songs and Nursery Rhymes Help Children Develop Early Sounds Parent Handout
• ⁴Where Words Fail, Music Speaks: The Impact of Music Intervention on Speech Therapy Outcomes