| The purpose of this dissertation was to develop the Neuroplasticity Attentional Listening Program (NALP), an afterschool program with a focus on helping children and adolescents maintain attention while studying through the use of music listening. This program is based on a theory posited by Daniel Levitin, who suggested that listening to music at specific tempos could result in brain activity optimal for specific activities, including studying. Though Levitin's theory was untested at the time of the program development, research findings in the fields of music therapy and psychology on topics such as attention and neuroplasticity help to lend empirical support to the development of such a program. Studies on student time on task have identified that this is a significant concern for students, families, and teachers alike. As interventions are limited in schools in light of budgetary concerns, such a program could serve as a viable noninvasive alternative to more traditional models of treatment for attention problems. Additionally, as it is nominal in cost, the possibilities for being adopted across multiple groups and settings are significant. Aspects of implementation, program evaluation, limitations, and potential areas for future research are discussed. |
