Music Enrichment to Enhance Health and Developmental Outcomes in Infants from Low-income Families
Project Description:
Increased opportunities to experience responsive, attuned caregiver interactions in the first three years can be a protective factor that boosts child development and health as they enter preschool. Importantly, music is often part of everyday routines in early parent-infant interactions and freely available through online and digital sources. Community-based music enrichment classes are an accessible and non-stigmatizing approach, often focusing on general developmental outcomes or music education experiences. This project aims to evaluate whether a music enrichment program can improve childhood health and developmental outcomes. We will prospectively examine the impact of an early environmental enrichment (specifically, a 24-month music enrichment program versus placebo play date control in a group of 9-15-month-old healthy infants, N = 120). The intervention consists of 18-month intensive phase (weekly classes over 6 semesters) and 6-month maintenance phase (monthly classes over 2 semesters). Assessments will be conducted at baseline, and 6, 12, 18 [SBJ1] and 24-month post-intervention. We will (1) examine the effects of a music enrichment program on the health of infants (weight gain); (2) examine the effects of a music enrichment program on home environmental enrichment measures; and (3) conduct a process evaluation to assess acceptability and feasibility of a music enrichment program as a multi-target intervention.
Keyword(s):
Child Maltreatment, Developmental Disabilities, Early Childhood – Developmental Health (including developmental screening), Early Childhood – General, Health Equity, Maternal Health – General, Mental/Behavioral Health – General , Obesity, Preventive Services, Social Determinants of Health, Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults with Special Health Care Needs
Core Function(s):
Performing Direct and/or Demonstration Services, Performing Research or Evaluation, Continuing Education/Community Training
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention, Quality of Life
Target Audience:
Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN, General Public
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote, Urban
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
Single-County, Mulit-County, State
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
