The learnings of the two-part workshop will manifest through incorporating African Music from the Ashanti Region, Ghana with tribal tunes,movements, rhythms through a live guitar workshop to engage participants..Therapeutic programs for children with various learning disabilities and developmental delays such as Autism spectrum disorder have shown to improve their mental and physical health. Physical movements incorporating cultural and multilingual music and dance enhance children’s sensory, cognitive and communication skills. During the workshop professionals gain insight on recent studies and practices aligning with music and dance movement for special needs and mental health challenges, while supporting their overall well-being.The second part of the workshop will focus on therapeutic dance and movement using the North Indian Classical Dance form of ‘Kathak’.

Learning Objectives

1. To gain more insights on the importance of Music and dance therapy.
2. To learn about culturally relevant pedagogies such as Afrian Music and Indian Classical and Folk Dance Forms.
3. To share and explore their lived experiences with music and dance through the engagement with children.
4. To build unique teaching tool kits by learning, musical activities that engage children of all cultural backgrounds.
5. To encourage educators to create creative curriculum that aligns with the principles of Diversity, Inclusion and Equity (DEI).
6. To make educators, families and children of all cultures feel represented and express themselves freely in a safe space.