This study represents a Froebelian exploration of the benefits for children attending Birmingham Children’s Hospital in participating in Ex Cathedra’s Singing Medicine project. The project offers play through singing games to children attending the Hospital. The study takes a qualitative interpretive approach. Data collection methods included interviews with parents and professionals and researcher observations of Singing Medicine sessions. Further to this a focus group discussion was conducted with the vocal tutors from the Singing Medicine project. hemes that arose from interviews included the important characteristics of the Singing Medicine vocal tutors; contribution to children’s emotions; contribution to child/family experiences of hospital; contribution to children’s development and learning (including neurodevelopment); spiritual and cultural dimensions; contribution to medical care (including contribution to the wellbeing of health professionals), contextual aspects of the project and contribution to family life, patterns and structures. The potential contribution to children’s neurodevelopment is an important finding since it was mentioned by participants that neurodevelopment is an aspect of healthcare provision often omitted due to the understandable need to focus on acute care and patient survival and recovery.
From observations there was evidence of choices for children; following children’s lead; facilitating medical care; building memorable moments for families and focussing on children’s holistic development. From the focus group discussion with vocal tutors it was noted that there are important characteristics of and values held by the vocal tutors that relate to valuing children and families interests and strengths and empowering them, as well as ensuring that the project brings a positive dimension to their hospital experience
