Creating affordances for families with young children: Experiences of music education in social work

Abstract

The current research examines the possibilities of music education in supporting the well-being of families living in demanding life situations. The context for the study is Family Sound Hammock, a 3-year research and development project that took place in the metropolitan area of Finland from 2020 to 2023. The project aimed at systematically supporting the well-being of families especially by strengthening their capacities for interaction in and through music education activities. This phenomenological-hermeneutic research focusses on the affordances emerging in family music activities, asking the following: What kinds of affordances can be recognised in and through music activities as part of family social work? The findings are presented in three categories: (1) Experiential environment of music education practice, (2) Social interaction and (3) Experiences of consistency that each highlight the potential of music education for redirecting agency, participation and inclusion of parents and children. The findings emphasise the professional facilitation of an inviting and safe musico-pedagogical environment applying pedagogical sensitivity.