Music therapy for children of 'The Steyntje' in Stein, the Netherlands

Q2 2008
Music helps children in their development. The people at children care and service center ’t Steyntje in Stein know all about it. Music has a beneficial influence, particularly on children with mental problems and children with developmental delays or behavioral problems. One can imagine that it was a sad day when music therapy at ’t Steyntje had to be discontinued for cost-saving reasons a few years ago. On 7 June 2008 Odet Stabel’s Torch initiative lit a new musical fire: music lessons can be put back on the timetable.

During a festive gathering Odet, together with son Jens, symbolically lit the Torch flame. “Music means a lot to these children,” she says. “ They like it, it helps them get more of a grip on their life and it may make a significant contribution to their motor development and language proficiency .” Ria Eijkenboom, team leader at ’t Steyntje: “Music appeals to children. It opens them up to learning things. All the senses are stimulated. You see the children progress.”