ABSTRACT
Music is essentially a practical subject. Music is still one of the National Curriculum subjects but the rules around it have changed. The Literacy and Numeracy Strategies launched by the UK government at the end of the 1990s have forced teachers to concentrate on the basics of education, especially in the primary stage, at the expense of subjects seen as frills, such as art, drama and music. There are many examples in the music guidelines that demonstrate how even youngsters with profound learning difficulties can learn through music. Teachers may wish to consider planning focused-music topics as 'blocked' work, in the manner advised by the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority (SCAA). Finding imaginative ways of using staff the most important resource available – is very important for a subject such as music. Musical games are very useful and can supplement work done by specialists. One aspect of music associated with special education is music therapy.
