Create a Sprouting Melodies 2 Framework

Five words to describe the music experiences in Sprouting Melodies 2 are followed:
1. Sponetaneous
2. Exploration
3. Playful
4. Spontaneous
5. Free Movement
Five sentences I’d use when speaking to parents about the musical responses of children in SM2 are as followed:
1. If the child started moving away and the parent started to get nervous about their child moving away, I’d tell the parent “It’s ok. During this stage, your child can move freely in order to explore their environment”.
2. If the parent wants to make up a song to help their child with attended to task for a specific period of time, I’d say “Use a song that has a simple, predictable melody that your child can remember, like ‘Row Row Row Your Boat’ only you can replace them with words associated with the task that you want your child to focus on until the task is complete”.
3. If the parent asked about how many instruments they should use when playing with their child outside the session, I’d say “Start by just using one instrument together like the drum or you can each play one instrument together like egg shakers or maraca. Just remember that less is more”.
4. If a parent tells me that they don’t have instruments at home but want to use music to connect with their child, I’d tell the parent “That’s ok. You and your child don’t need instruments to be musical. You can sing a simple song that we used in group or you can use your body to be musical to songs like ‘Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes’ or ‘If You’re Happy and You Know It’.”
5. If a parent wants to use a song that I use in group but can’t remember exactly how it goes, I’d tell the parent “It’s ok. The song doesn’t have to be exactly the same. This is the time for you and your child to create your own meaning and be spontaneous with the song.”

Plan for songs and music experiences to use in a session with SM2:
1. Hello/Gathering Songs
2. Bonding songs/ “Hold On Tight”/ “Jingle Up Jingle Down”
3. Songs about Me/ “Where Is The Music”/ “All Of This Is Me
4. Movement Songs/ “I Can Move Around”/ “Can You Follow”
5. Songs About The World/ “Do You Want To Be My Friend”
6.Instrument Song/ “I Like This Song”/ “Sit With Me and Shake”
7. Transition song/ “Clean Up Song”
8. Goodbye songs

Use 5 words to describe the music experiences in Sprouting Melodies 2.
playful, curious, observing, animated, free flow

Write 5 sentences you can use when speaking with parents about musical responses of children in SM 2.
Pay attention to sounds that your child as we sing. This could include vocalizing in the tonality of the song we are singing. When we change the melodic rhythm (sing example…), watch for how they adjust their attention. Pay attention to how your baby responds to instruments, maybe they are reaching out to touch or exploring the instruments with their hands and mouth, or striking the instrument with a beat or shake it. Each of these ways to participate is ok! Observe how your child also pays attention to the to sounds when they stop and there is silence by looking at you (the singer) or maybe they initiate vocalizations in response to the silence.

Create a plan for songs and music experiences to use in a Sprouting Melodies 2 session.
Gathering Hello
Movement Getting our bodies moving activity
Instrument Play Activity
Clean up instruments transition song
Bonding Lap Ride, Finger Play
Song About Me
Song Story
Related Song About My World
Let’s Sing a Cool Down Song Together_paired with sensory strategies like deep pressure
Goodbye Transition Song

Use 5 words to describe the music experiences in Sprouting Melodies 2.

Exploration

Playful

Follow (your child’s lead)

Observe

Energy