Create a Sprouting Melodies 1 Framework

[Julie Palmieri]

Sprouting Melodies 1 Framework:

Use 5 words to describe the music experiences in Sprouting Melodies 1.

Write 5 sentences you can use when speaking with parents about musical responses of children in SM1.

Create a plan for songs and music experiences to use in a Sprouting Melodies 1 session.

[Sean FitzGerald]

5 words to describe music experiences in SM1: gentle, relaxing, grounding, connection, homey

5 sentences for speaking with parents: It’s totally fine that your child is sleeping, they means that they are comfortable in the space so take this time to relax and connect with others! Your child wants to hear you sing, and this isn’t a performance at all, this is time for everyone to have a chance to connect! Did you see that, your baby turned their head towards you when you started singing again! It’s okay if your baby needs to eat, feel free to do whatever you need to do in here! It’s okay if you’re baby is crying, some babies just seek different levels of stimulation and now we know where your baby is at.

For a session, I would start with a gathering song like the good morning song that Favor presented in the video. Then I would probably do another one like Gather Round just to leave space for more to show up and normalize the music experience for the kiddos. Then I would move to a bonding song like Wiggly Jiggly Car to get the kids and parents more connected and involved together. Next, I would do an instrument song like In my little hand to bring instruments into the situation and provide an opportunity for that type of stimulation. Then another lap ride like the Row Your Boat that AJ presented and I would finish off with a goodbye song.

[Jorden Liteplo]

That parent validation that you responded with is SO important. I love that you prioritized it. Seriously there is so much pressure as a new parent to do everything ‘right’ while you are hormone riddled and more sleep deprived than a student post papers and staring down finals.

[Jorden Liteplo]

I would say music experiences are fun, engaging, providing sensory stimulation, they’re social and they’re age appropriate.

I might say things like:
Did you see the way your baby’s eyes widened when the guitar stopped playing? I’m so sorry I startled your baby, I was too emphatic when I stopped! Look at how their eyes are following the shaker around. Did you notice how she was ‘singing’ the back to you with the same pitch when you sang to her? He knows what’s coming, he’s laughing already! Your voice is the best tool you have for calming your baby.

I always begin with a welcome song using each child’s name. As my studio is very small my groups are max 5/6 kids, so I find this essential for creating a community space. In fact it’s a little word to NOT know names when you only have 5 to learn. Then I like to do an action type welcome song, a little bit like gather round. Then I like to move into some kind of instrument play songs and sensory stimulation songs. I love love LOVE using scarves, bubbles and puppets for this part. I usually end with bonding songs I find it a nice way to wrap up class. So I would start with a songs like wiggly jiggly car( which I actually use ALL the time since I saw Elizabeth present it at a conference and loved it). Then I would move into a quieter lullabye type song where kids rock in their moms laps ( usually prior to 6 months, after that, who knows!) and then I sings a song where we wave and blow kisses and then sings goodbye. This is my favourite age group to work with, hands down.

[Kayla Stubblefield]

Thanks for sharing your experience about your studio!

[Leah Strand]

5 Words: interactive, connecting, relaxing, fun, and safe space

5 Sentences: Your child is enjoying the music, not just my voice, so it’s okay if you sing and share the music with them too. It’s okay if they just stare, music can be a lot to take in and they will interact and react when they are ready. You can use your own words to the tunes, you don’t have to sing word for word what I have, fit it to your life style. This is a great time to bond with your child as you can do it here and at home. If you have any questions or concerns I will be happy to listen to you and answer the best I can after the group!

Session Set up: For the session I would start with a soft hello song that transitions easily to good morning. This will demonstrate the adaptability to the melody as well as teach a simple good morning song to the parents to sing. I would then go into a bonding song such as row row row your boat. Starting at a place where we can grow with the group as more sessions occurs. If they re slightly older group I may go into wiggly jiggly car. Then I would go and do a transition song and explain to the parents how to use this in their own lives. After the transition song I would do a couple instrument and movement activities so the kiddos can explore the space and what’s in it. Then I would facilitate some sort of cool down song leading to the goodbye to make sure the session had some sort of flow to transition out of music.

[Kayla Stubblefield]

Lovely plan! Very appropriate and considerate of helping parents and children bond.

[Kayla Stubblefield]

Use 5 words to describe the music experiences in Sprouting Melodies 1.

Engaging, interactive, age-appropriate, calming, fun.

Write 5 sentences you can use when speaking with parents about musical responses of children in SM1.

Sing along and vocalize with your baby. Even if they take some time to be quiet and soak in the environment around them, just be patient. They will take the initiative when they are ready to engage. Look at how your baby moves! She’s moving her arms in a rhythm. Let’s all move together.

Create a plan for songs and music experiences to use in a Sprouting Melodies 1 session.

1. Hello Song- Today’s A Beautiful Day; invite everyone to come sit and sing along
Transition song; encourage parents to sing along to help their child transition
2. Bonding- Row It Faster; to help parents feel more connected
Transition song; have children sit with parents to prepare for body percussion
3. Body Percussion- I Feel That Boom, Boom, Boom (original song); parents can use hand over hand as needed to help their child do the movements (clapping, patting, tapping)
4. Instrument Play- In My Little Hand
5. Gross Motor- As Big As Can Be
6. Cool Down- Little Red Wagon
7. Goodbye

[Angie Snell]

Nice plan, Kayla. I also like how natural your 5 sentences are. Simple and yet effective.

[Angie Snell]

5 words to describe music experiences in Sprouting Melodies 1: Bonding, interactive, age-appropriate, safe, child-centered

5 sentences that can be used when speaking with parents about musical responses of children in Sprouting Melodies 1:
1. Look, s/he recognizes your voice.
2. Ahh, I see his/her movements are relevant to the musical sounds
3. Notice how content and safe s/he acts with you when you rock predictably with the music
4. Look how your son/daughter responds to this predictable rhythm.
5. Your child is noticing the transposition in key!

Create a plan for songs and music experiences to use in a Sprouting Melodies 1 session:
A. Greeting/Beginning Songs: The More We Get Together; Today’s A Beautiful Day; Gather ‘Round Babies
B. Bonding Songs: Little Red Wagon; You and Me in Music
C. Songs About Me: Where is My Face; Just Like Me
D. Instrument Song: Sit with Me and Shake
E. Movement Song: Pick Your Hands Up High
F. Goodbye Song: Goodbye, Goodbye; Goodbye; We are All Done

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