Challenges of Providing Multi-Age Groupings

[Julie Palmieri]

Share some thoughts about the challenges of providing multi-age groupings.

[Sarah Braverman]

Providing multi-age groupings can be challenging because not everyone is at the same level developmentally. This could make it harder to plan goals that would be beneficial for everyone in the group. For example, there could be children in the group who are ready to transition from the independence phase to the control phase; however, some children in the group may still trying to transition from the awareness phase to the trust phase. It’s important for music therapists to find interventions that can give all members of the group an opportunity to participate and learn within the same music therapy session. It’s also important to make sure that the music used in the session is developmentally appropriate and not overstimulating for anyone in the group.

[Erika (TeamRH)]

I enjoyed reading your insights 🙂

[Talia Morales]

Challenges in engagement can be impacted by the fact that you have participants that range so greatly in their development and need for structure/pacing. Eg. you can have an older sibling in the control stage of development at the same time as an younger sibling who is still in the awareness stage. Children in multi-age groups can also be vying for their caregiver/parent attention in different ways.

[Julie Palmieri]

Caregivers are pulled in several different directions when experiencing Sprouting Melodies with multiple children. Reassure them and guide the parents/caregivers that this is normal and offer opportunities to have the older kiddos participate in different ways (sit with their peers or pass out instruments).

YOUR attention will be pulled in many different ways. Ground and center yourself before each session.

Keep observing and watching the children in your group and make adjustments to your Family Sprouts plan as needed.

[Author]

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