Abstract:

This paper's primary goal is to analyze the role of music education in supporting children with special educational needs. Our study draws on ten years of research conducted in a children's home, providing a deep insight into the practical application of music education in special needs contexts. The paper focuses on the importance of music in special education, mainly in residential childcare settings. We will describe our experiences implementing music activities based on the El Sistema-inspired orchestra, highlighting its impact on the social, emotional, and cognitive development of children with special educational needs in a residential childcare setting. The research was conducted using a qualitative methodology, including participatory observation, in-depth interviews with educators and children, and analysis of educational practices within the children's home. The research includes case studies from practice, illustrating the benefits of music education for children with a wide range of special needs. The results demonstrate that music activities promote inclusion and contribute to developing self-confidence and interpersonal relationships among children with special educational needs. Our results have significant implications for other educational environments, offering inspiration for applying music education to accelerate inclusive ideas and support learners' diverse needs. Music knows no boundaries, not even those of special needs!

Keywords:

Special Music Education, El Sistema, Inclusion, Special Educational Needs.