Ritmos de esperanza: el papel de la música en el desarrollo social y emocional de niños en riesgo

The objective of this review was to analyze the role of music in the social and emotional development of children at risk. A comprehensive search of the scientific literature was conducted, including studies that evaluated the impact of musical interventions on children facing adverse living conditions. The pedagogy used in music intervention programs for children at risk focuses on creating a safe and supportive environment where children can express themselves through music, build positive relationships, and strengthen their sense of belonging. The main findings suggest that musical engagement, whether through singing, playing instruments, active listening, or dancing, can generate positive effects in various areas of social and emotional development, such as emotional regulation, social skills, self-esteem, and resilience. Music offers at-risk children a means of nonverbal expression, a safe space to explore and process their emotions, and an opportunity to build positive relationships and strengthen their sense of belonging. It is concluded that music appears to be a promising tool for promoting social and emotional development in at-risk children, but further studies with rigorous methodological designs are needed to confirm these findings and better understand the mechanisms through which music exerts its effects.