To read this content please select one of the options below:

The Sounds of Intent project: modelling musical development in children with learning difficulties

Adam Ockelford (Professor, University of Roehampton, London, UK)

Tizard Learning Disability Review

ISSN: 1359-5474

Article publication date: 5 October 2015

520

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to set out the current status of the Sounds of Intent project, and explains some of the theoretical thinking that has underpinned its development over a period of 12 years. Sounds of Intent maps the musical development of children and young people with learning difficulties. It currently exists as an online resource that offers practitioners a framework for assessment (with an online recording tool), information and downloadable resources.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach to the development of Sounds of Intent has been through two main phases: first, exploratory, qualitative analysis was used to inform the development of a model setting out how musical abilities and engagement are thought to develop in children and young people with learning difficulties; and second, the framework’s efficacy has been evaluated through gathering data from a number of practitioners in the field that has been analysed principally through quantitative means.

Findings

The principal findings of the Sounds of Intent project to date are that virtually all children (with the exception of those who are incapable of processing sound or vibration at all) are able to engage with music, whether reactively, proactively or interactively. The great majority have potential for musical development that can be realised over time, given an appropriately rich and engaging environment.

Originality/value

Sounds of Intent is the first research project in the world to focus on the musical development of children and young people with learning difficulties, and makes the first attempt to set out how this may occur. Since its public launch in 2012, the Sounds of Intent web site has had over 4,000,000 unique hits, with over 500,000 downloads of resources, from people all over the world.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Support for the Sounds of Intent project is gratefully acknowledged from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, the John Ellerman Foundation, the Patsy Wood Trust, the SFIA Educational Trust, the Big Lottery “Awards for All”, the Equitable Charitable Trust, the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Council for Disabled Children, the Royal National Institute of Blind People, The Amber Trust, and Soundabout.

Citation

Ockelford, A. (2015), "The Sounds of Intent project: modelling musical development in children with learning difficulties", Tizard Learning Disability Review, Vol. 20 No. 4, pp. 179-194. https://doi.org/10.1108/TLDR-02-2015-0007

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Related articles