Dance therapy is especially helpful in development of coordination in children with cerebral palsy. Because dancing is such a complex action, involving different parts of the child’s body and the coordination of moving those parts with the rhythm of the music, a child with cerebral palsy is able to practice use of their limbs in a fun, artistic way. Children love to dance to music, and children with cerebral palsy will strongly benefit from the opportunity to gain coordination between their limbs, develop their sense of rhythm, and just have a little fun.

You needn’t wait until you meet a specialist in this area to give your child experience in dance and music. To play music for the child to listen to, all you need is a tape or CD player. Vary the music selection you choose from classical to pop, nursery rhymes to reggae. Anything and everything you can find (that’s suitable for a child) will help you child’s development.

Alternatively, playing music, as oppose to simply listening, can be even more beneficial, as they learn when their rhythm is out of sync, as one can plainly hear an offbeat drum. Playing the instruments with you child will not only give him or her a guide for how to play them, but will also supply you and your child with valuable time that will be therapeutic for both of you. Don’t run to the store and buy violins and bass guitars, however. Simple homemade instruments, such as a bottle filled with dried beans or rice or some pots and pans and wooden spoons will do the job just fine. If you feel compelled, however, feel free to get your child more advanced percussive instruments, such as maracas, tambourines and drums. Whichever way you go about it, providing your child with instruments and time (preferably with you) to play them can help your child’s development in a big way.

In addition to playing instruments with your child, dancing with your child will help them gain a better understanding of rhythm. Even in children without cerebral palsy, dancing with a parent is quite useful in learning how to move to a rhythm (have you ever seen a father dancing with his little girl, her standing on his shoes so he can show her how it’s done?). Dancing for a cerebral palsied child will undoubtedly be more difficult, but the movements not only provide exercise, but they stretch muscles and supply a different atmosphere, as oppose to a physical therapist’s office, to stretch, practice walking and work on balance. Don’t push your child too hard, though. Let him or her take their time, and if it appears that they have danced enough for one day, suggest you just listen to the music, or perhaps play a little of your own.