The impact of using FigureNotes for young children with developmental delay on developing social interactions and physical movements

Over the past 10 years, the research results of “Holistic Music Educational Approach for Young Children” (HMEAYC) have found that music is a good learning medium for improving the development of children with special needs. FigureNotes is a music teaching method that advocates the usage of music with visual graphics to promote the individual performance of pitches or rhythmic melody. It is obvious that HMEAYC and FigureNotes are both learning modes that expect learners to be able to achieve goal orientation through music expression. The purpose of the study was to explore the relationship between HMEAYC and FigureNotes for children's learning behavior. A non-profit early intervention center in central Taiwan was used as a research site. There were 132 children with developmental delay aged 40–63 months selected as research subjects, and HMEAYC was combined with FiugreNotes for the curriculum design. It was a 16-week study, with 40 minute sessions once per week in a group setting. The research results showed that HMEAYC combined with the FigureNotes method can promote the development of the social interactions and the physical movements of children with developmental delay.