Music Therapy Magic for Everyday Parenting: How Music Helps You & Your Kids Thrive

As parents, we’re always on the lookout for ways to connect more deeply with our children, to ease transitions, soothe big emotions, and create a more peaceful home. What if one of the most powerful tools at your disposal didn’t come in a book or a bottle, but in something you already carry with you every day?

That tool is music.

In a heartwarming episode of the Thriving Parenting podcast, we sat down with Tara Del Borrello, a Registered and Neurologic Music Therapist and founder of Sol Music Therapy. Tara has dedicated her career to helping children thrive through the intentional use of music. Whether supporting babies in hospital or working with adolescents with complex needs, Tara’s insights show us that music therapy isn’t just about singing songs—it’s about using music to build connection, regulation, and joy.

What Is Music Therapy?

Music therapy is a clinical and evidence-based practice delivered by trained professionals. According to the Australian Music Therapy Association, it is the “intentional and therapeutic use of music by a registered music therapist to support people to improve their health, functioning, and wellbeing.”

Tara explains that music therapy is not music education. Children aren’t learning how to sing or play an instrument in a traditional sense. Instead, music becomes a vehicle to support developmental goals like communication, motor skills, social interaction, and emotional regulation. It’s especially powerful because it engages the whole brain.

In her private practice, Tara often supports children with developmental delays, autism, ADHD, and mental health challenges. In her work at Perth Children’s Hospital, she supports children undergoing cancer treatments, using music to help regulate emotions, ease anxiety, and provide moments of joy during a challenging journey.

Why Music Is So Effective for Kids (and Adults!)

Music is unique in its ability to activate both hemispheres of the brain. While language is typically processed in one part of the brain, music lights up multiple areas simultaneously, making it a powerful tool for learning and development.

More importantly, music creates a sense of safety and predictability. Think about the rhythm of a lullaby, the comfort of a familiar melody, or the joy of tapping a beat on a drum. These patterns ground us. For children, especially those navigating developmental or emotional challenges, music offers a structure in which they can explore, play, and grow.

Co-Regulation: The Heart of Music Therapy

One of the most important aspects of music therapy, as Tara shared, is co-regulation. Before a child can learn, they need to feel safe. Before they can express themselves, they need to feel heard. Music provides a space where that safety can be built, often without a single word spoken.

Whether it’s a toddler matching your rhythm on a drum or a teen quietly listening to a song you both love, music helps build connection through shared experience. And from that connection, growth can happen.

Real-Life Examples from Tara’s Practice

Tara shared several beautiful stories that show the real-world impact of music therapy.

In one case, she worked with a child who had a neurodegenerative condition and was struggling to move from sitting to standing—a goal set by her physiotherapist. Traditional methods weren’t working. Tara used a song with instructions built into the lyrics (“Stand up, turn around, sit down”) to create a fun and engaging way to practice this movement. The child not only participated but looked forward to the sessions.

In another example, she worked with a non-verbal child with autism. By using drumming and turn-taking games, the child began to understand the rhythm of communication—my turn, your turn—a foundational social skill.

These aren’t just cute moments. They represent measurable progress toward developmental goals. And they highlight something every parent can take away: when therapy feels like play, children are more engaged and responsive.

But What If I Can’t Sing?

One of the most common concerns Tara hears from parents is: "I can’t sing." Her response?

Your voice is your child’s favourite voice.

You don’t need to sound like a professional. You don’t need a music degree. You just need to show up. Hum a tune. Sing a simple song. Make one up about putting on pants. The magic isn’t in the melody—it’s in the connection.

Music is a powerful tool for parent self-regulation, too. Tara shared how even singing about how tired or overwhelmed you are can be a release. It keeps you regulated so you can co-regulate with your child. Many parents have found that singing their feelings, no matter how silly it sounds, is better than yelling them.

Integrating Music Into Daily Parenting

You don’t need a therapy session to start using music in your home. Tara offers practical, low-pressure ways to bring the benefits of music therapy into daily parenting:

Use transition songs: Create a simple tune for getting dressed, brushing teeth, or tidying up.

Sing nursery rhymes: Familiar songs like "Twinkle Twinkle" or "Incy Wincy Spider" are excellent for connection and focus.

Encourage movement: Let your child dance or use kitchen items as instruments.

Incorporate touch: Sing songs that involve gentle movement or hand actions on your child’s body.

Be flexible: If your child isn’t in the mood, that’s okay. Let the music be an invitation, not a demand.

Music Therapy Is for All Children

While Tara primarily works with children who have developmental, neurological, or medical challenges, she’s quick to remind us that music therapy benefits all children.

In fact, when Tara first returned to Perth, she started music therapy groups for her friends and their little ones—not because the children had specific needs, but because music is a beautiful way to strengthen the caregiver-child relationship. These groups became a safe space not just for babies, but for parents too.

Parents often feel anxious in group settings, especially when their child isn’t "performing" the way they expected. Tara gently reminds caregivers that children are not meant to sit still, follow every instruction, or be perfect participants. Let them explore. Let them crawl. Let them be. That’s how they learn.

Music as a Social Connector

Music therapy also fosters community. In a world where many families feel isolated, especially those with children who have additional needs, group music therapy can be a lifeline.

One mother Tara worked with had recently moved from the UK and didn’t know anyone locally. Through music therapy sessions, both she and her daughter began building social connections in a warm, welcoming environment. This isn’t just therapy—it’s belonging.

Music Therapy in Hospital Care

Tara’s work at Perth Children’s Hospital is a powerful reminder of the depth of this work. In oncology and haematology units, children often face long treatments, stress, and separation from their normal routines.

Music becomes a source of comfort, expression, and emotional release. Tara often works with parents to give them tools they can use at the bedside—simple lullabies, humming, or rocking—so they can actively support their child’s healing journey.

One story she shared was about a five-month-old baby in hospital whose mother sang made-up songs to soothe him. With Tara’s support, the mum became more confident and creative, using music to bond with and regulate her baby during painful procedures.

The Science Backs It Up

Music’s impact isn’t just emotional—it’s physiological.

Clapping or singing in unison has been shown to regulate heart rate, reduce cortisol (the stress hormone), and increase oxytocin (the connection hormone). Music affects not only the mind but the nervous system, making it a holistic tool for wellbeing.

Tara’s Favourite Quote

Before we wrapped up the podcast, Tara shared a quote from neurologist Oliver Sacks that encapsulates the heart of her work:

“Music can lift us out of depression or move us to tears. It is a remedy, a tonic, orange juice for the ear... It can provide access, even when no medication can, to movement, to speech, to life.”

In Tara’s words, music isn’t just something that makes us feel good. It helps us function. It gives us access to parts of ourselves that we may not be able to reach otherwise.

Start Today, No Experience Needed

Music therapy isn’t something you need to wait for a diagnosis or a professional to start using. You can begin today.

Sing. Hum. Tap. Dance. Make silly rhymes. Use music to bring light into everyday moments, to soothe stormy ones, and to build the kind of relationship with your child that feels safe, joyful, and connected.

Let music be the bridge—to better days, deeper bonds, and thriving families.