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

[Meredith Pizzi]

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.

[Kayla Lyles]

I wanted to use a mix of what I interpreted from the video and words provided when using 5 words to describe the music experiences in Sprouting Melodies 1. That being said, I came up with the following: Unique, Exploratory, Bonding, Calm and Touch.
Below are the five sentences I crafted to use when speaking with parents about musical responses of children in SM1.
1. Be aware of the timbre of your voice – your child will respond best to you.
2. If you notice your child squirming while sitting during the musical/movement experience – perhaps provide them an opportunity to stand. See if they like that…
3. Don’t be alarmed if your child is startled by silence.
4. This is such a great opportunity for bonding. It’s okay that he/she is sleeping. Feel free to still cuddle and sing along – these are songs you can take with you beyond the group.
5. Everyone will experience the explore differently and that’s the beauty of music.

This made me so so excited to work with the little little ones! 🙂

[Kristina Rio]

I’m glad you are excited Kayla! Articulating what the parent and child are getting from the music at such a young age is so important because some parents may think their child is too young for the class and want to wait until they can participate more independently.

[Jacquelyn Blankinship]

The 5 words I came up with to describe the music experiences in Sprouting Melodies 1 are: subtle, bonding, articulation, affect, quiet energy.

In coming up with the 5 sentences to use with parents, I tried to envision different situations that might come up during a group. 1: “Do you notice how your baby is moving her/his eyes toward the sound/vocalizing with you/babbling (etc.)? She/he’s really connecting to your music.”
2: “It looks like your baby might be a little more fidgety than in past sessions – someone might be ready to move a little more! If you’re comfortable, see how she/he responds to standing or using slightly bigger movements.”
3: “Your baby is going to respond to your voice the most, so really sing to them!”
4: “Repetition is so important – and your baby’s sense of trust will grow as she/he learns and knows what to expect from these songs. Take these songs home and use them there, too!”
5: “Your baby loves your touch and these gentle movements and soothing, quiet sounds can really enhance bonding and trust between you and your baby.”

In thinking about potential session “plans”, I was thinking that Sprouting Melodies 1 might be a great group (during the body percussion time, etc.) to incorporate some elements of baby massage.

[Jaycie Voorhees]

Bonding, Calm, Gentle, Rocking, Growth.
1) This time in music is meant to help you bond with your baby in a meaningful way
2) Don’t hesitate or feel bad about meeting your baby’s needs if they need to eat, change a diaper, or sleep.
3) Your voice will be the most meaningful sound your baby hears during our time here
4) I am so glad you made it today, you are doing a great job as a new Mom/Dad, and I hope you can use this time to relax and enjoy your baby.
5) Try to use these songs at home, especially during those hard moments in order to help both you and your baby find a calm space together.

Session Plan for SM1:
Hello/Greeting song
Bonding: Rocking back and forth, sing about waves on the ocean. Then move into waving blue scarves back and forth for sensory exploration and visual tracking
Songs About Me: Two Feet, Whaddaya Know?
Instruments: Pass out maracas with small grip handles and sing a song about “listening” to the sound of the instrument. Follow that up with a quiet but engaging song about shaking and playing the instrument
Movement: Song about jumping or a “Loopedy Loop” where you lift the child up and down, side to side, etc. Can also include a song where you help the child move various body parts, etc.
Cool Down: “I Love You”
Goodbye Song

[Megan Dewing]

Some of the words that I came up with to describe Sprouting Melodies 1 are: Calming, Engaging, Relaxing, Unique, and Interactive.

Some of the phrases that I could share with parents are: (1) It’s okay that your baby fell asleep; we want them to be well rested. They will enjoy this experience when you are singing the songs with them at home just as much! (2) Your baby likes the timbre of your voice best. The will respond the most when you are singing with them. (3) That might be hard for your baby to see, let’s slow the movements down. It will be easier for them to follow. (4) Your baby might not hold the instrument for the whole time, and that’s okay. They are learning how to grasp and let go. (5) It’s okay that your baby is frigidity, why not try a standing position? He might enjoy it more.

A sample plan could be: After greeting the group, we would move to a bonding song (such as Row, Row, Row your Boat) to help parents engage with their child from the beginning. Starting with a song that is familiar to them will help encourage them to participate in the singing. The next few elements will be about sensory stimulation, moving scarfs and singing about the colors. This would be followed by playing instruments, such as shakers, working on feeling and holding the instruments and listening to the sound they make. A movement song would be used next, encouraging parents to move with their children as much as the baby is comfortable with. A song about me, such as “Just Like Me,” would be used as the cool down followed up by a goodbye song.

[Amanda Braden]

-5 words: close, connect, calm, steady pulse, rocking

-5 sentences: 1.) Listen to that vocalization. Did you hear that pitch? 2.) It’s important that we don’t use instruments or objects that can startle or overwhelm your child at this age. Let’s use the maracas and avoid that lollipop drum for now. 3.) Please sing. Your child prefers your vocal timbre because that’s what they’re most familiar with. 4.) Do you see your child moving their mouth? They are working toward vocalizing right now. 5.) At this age, your child is going to prefer higher pitches.

-SM1 Session: 1.) Hello/Gathering – I would use Beth’s song “Good Morning to You” and encourage parents to sway their child to the music and either tap on their child or point to them when singing the phrase “to you.” 2.) Lap Ride/Tickles – I would use Beth’s song “Wiggly Jiggly Car” and encourage parents to place their child on their legs and bounce them during the song. 3.) Instrument Play – I would make sure each child and/or parent had a small maraca and use an original song that I developed in my own practice called “Shake it Up.” I would ensure to pause at times in the music. Depending on the children in the group, I might accompany the song on the guitar or just sing it a cappella. 4.) Movement – Using a song that I developed called “I Really Like to Move Around,” I will encourage parents to move their child in various ways in each verse such as up and down, swaying side to side, touching toes, touching nose, etc. Again, I would ensure to pause the music at times or encourage parents to hold the first movement like up for an extra beat or two before moving down. 5.) Cool Down – I would use Beth’s song “Just Like Me” and encourage parents to gesture to the children in the room and to their child as we saw in the video. – I really like this song and how you’re utilizing it! I don’t feel a need to modify it at all. 6.) Goodbye – Using an original Goodbye song of mine called “It’s Time to Say Goodbye,” the group will sing together while waving goodbye to one another.

[Darcy Lipscomb]

Five Words: Warm, Gentle, Bonding, Trust, Joyful

Five Sentences: 1) This is a safe place for your child to explore instruments. 2) While we are clapping with this song, the focus is on the overall sensory experience, not volume. 3) This is the perfect opportunity to let outside stresses drift away and purposefully connect with your child. For this next song, tap a strong, steady beat on their body while you sing to them. 4) Your baby might be looking at me right now, but they know and need to hear your familiar voice. Your baby doesn’t care if you sound like pop star; they associate your voice with trust and comfort. 5) Let’s slow our movements down and move back just a bit so your baby can see and process what’s happening in from of him.

Plan: 1) Greeting – I would start with “Today’s A Beautiful Day” as the rhythm automatically invites swaying which is such an excellent grounder. I would then transition to “Hey Hey Come & Play” as it introduces a bit more energy in the music and provides an embedded opportunity for both touch (clapping, tapping, etc.) and supporting beginning vocal sounds (la la la). 2) Bonding – Row It Faster allows for so many different experiences for babies in different stages that might be needing varied stimulation. 3) Instrument Playing – In My Little Hand has great functional language as well as supports instrument play however it may look. 4) Songs About Me – Where Oh Where I feel like this is so much more than just a “Song About Me” as it is encouraging eye gaze/ bonding as well as could facilitate reaching/movement. I would then transition to “All of This is Me” as a cool down. 5) Closing – Goodbye Song I really liked the suggestion of a consistent closing ritual across all classes.

[Michelle Russell]

Five words: soft, connected, touch, gentle, rocking

Five sentences: 1) Please allow yourself to enjoy your baby. 2)Please sing along because your baby knows you voice the best. 3) Being a new mom/dad is tiring and you are doing a great job. Look at the way he/she is responding to your voice. 4) We don’t have to sing loud, by articulating our words we bring energy into the music. 5) We will generally sing at a quieter volume so not to startle the babies at this age.

Plan: 1) A greeting song. I have a hello song that gives us a chance to say each babies name. 2) Lap ride. I would sing a familiar song such as row, row your boat. Something that parents would know and sing along to right away. I would remind them of the importance of singing and that their baby knows their vocal sounds the most. I would demonstrate that lyrics are not always important by singing another familiar song and replacing the words with la la or do do. 3) Movement song. “Pick you hands up high” I would encourage them to demonstrate movement with quiet excitement and energy. 4) Instrument song. “In My Little Hand” 5) Closing song.

I would keep all activities on the floor for the session. I would encourage families to bring in anything they need for care of the baby bottles, diapers, stroller etc.

[Milijana Majstorovic Kozul]

My 5 words would be: Bond, contact (s), slow, respect, gentle.
My 5 sentences will sound more like instructions : Follow the baby signs and be responsive. Use main contacts like: voice, touch, movement, eye. Sing a LOT but slowly with clear pronunciation of all words and use repetition, after repetition use repetition again. Use small and short songs and simple instruments. Help children to see, hear and FEEL music. They can`t do that alone just only when they are in interaction with us.
My plan:
As I have to find and adapt songs for my language I have much work to do :). Anyway Hello songs for whole group and separately using baby name (those songs have magic). Then we can use bonding songs one or two, very short formats.Repetition is crucial. Then I will use clapping songs or songs when we can mention body parts. As the singing request more concentration firstly I will sing with the group and after that I will use combination of instruments and singing. Firstlz I would have to introduce the instrument to them (simple one) rattles, wind chimes….Then I can use transparent scarfs to SHOW them the sound. I am finishingd with gentle rocking and swinging movements or dancing using some buy buy song, which can be alweys the same one.

[Christine Czuhajewski]

Five words to describe the music experience: Soothing, welcoming, engaging, comforting, sharing.

Five sentences to use when speaking with parents: 1) Feel free to sing along, your baby will respond the most to your voice! 2) It’s ok if your baby isn’t responding immediately- they are engaging in their own way and processing what they hear! 3) It’s great that your baby wants to put the maraca with his mouth- he is exploring and learning! 4) Every child will vocalize differently- some may be loud and ready to use their voices with you, and some may be content to just listen. 5) If your baby decides to take a nap, feel free to continue the gentle rocking, and if your baby is bouncing along, it’s okay to meet them where they are and move right along with them.

Session Plan- 1)Hello song- I love the Today’s a Beautiful Day song- it’s a great way to welcome individuals and it is a catchy melody. 2) Movement/Bonding song- Row It Faster- I like how this starts with a familiar melody that the children might already be exposed to. This familiarity could be soothing and a good way to gain attention. It also gives the parents a good way to practice easing into the singing since they already know the melody. 3) Songs About Me- I would use a song I learned a while back from an old music therapy book- I’ve changed the words but kept the melody. I call it Move to the Music. It would allow parents to interact with simple body awareness (hands, legs, feet etc) and provide freedom to adapt the tempo. Then I would incorporate the All Of This Is Me Song after that because it can help bring the energy back to a soothing place with the interesting melodic structure. 4) Instrument Play- In My Little Hand- this is a great way for everyone to explore instruments. 5) Movement/Relaxation- There is a song called “Hawaiian Rainbows” that uses octaves and lyrics to facilitate movement. I would use this with scarves to also include a visual aspect that demonstrates that movements as well. 6) “Goodbye”- This is a soothing goodbye song that can either be done with a rousing strum pattern on the guitar, or simple finger picking if it better suits to overall energy of the room.

[Katie Whipple]

Five words that I would use to describe SM1 would be new; stimulating; following; observant and love.

Five things to tell parents: 1. Just go with the flow of your baby. If he’s hungry or sleepy that is OK. Meet those needs first and take what you learn today home with you! 2. Just enjoy the uninterrupted moment with you baby… free from distractions! 3. It’s okay if that instrument goes straight to their mouth! The instruments are clean and that is what I hope… that they will explore them in the way that is the most developmentally appropriate way to learn… and for now that is sticking everything in their mouth! 4. Don’t think that your baby won’t like your voice… in fact your baby LOVES your voice among anyone else’s in the world! 5. Don’t be alarmed if your baby cries when you sing to him or her. In fact, many times babies have such a strong emotional connection to hearing their parents sing to them that it may invoke a strong emotional response (of crying…).

Hello song- Good Morning (in the mixolydian scale)- that song lends itself to swaying and is very calming
Warm up- Today’s a Beautiful Day followed by Row it Faster
Main activities- As big as can be, Where is my face, Sit with Me and Shake, In my little hand, Pick your hands up high (I think the flow of movement vs. instrument play vs. awareness would be nice interspersed through out)
Cool down- I like this song (very calming and transitional)
Good bye song

[Mary Withington]

SMI experiences are slower paced, calming, bonding, joyful, and sensory.

For parents1. If your baby is fussy or moving a lot, try standing them up to move. They might be wanting more stimulation. 2. It’s OK to take care of your baby’s needs during class, for example to feed them, nurse them, change a diaper.3. If your baby falls asleep, continue to cuddle with them and sing, so you can learn the songs and activities to do at home when your baby is awake. 4. Let’s keep the instrument and singing at a softer volume and timbre so as not to startle your baby. 5. We use the same goodbye song in all the classes at every level to provide consistency and the security of the familiar.

Plan for SM 1. Gathering time– play quiet instrumental music as families gather and put stuff on the floor and make a personal space. 2. Sing a hello song with a limited pitch range and 2 word lyric, such as ” Hello Hello.” Incorporate each child and sing to them by name, touching gently. 3. Sing a more robust song such as “Hello, hello, Today is a Beautiful Day.” 4. Bonding songs activities- “Row It Faster” on parent’s lap, and “Where O Where is My Face” using a clear scarf. 5. Instrument play, using chikitas. Explore by touching instrument on body parts and naming them using a chant. Then sing and play small drums together singing “Rum Tum Tumm I play the Drum.” 6. Movement song and activity- This is the Way we Move Up and Down ( up and over, side to side, around and around, etc) 7. Cool down with a gentle rocking and swaying song such as “You are My Sunshine.” 8. Goodbye song. Thank you for coming. Play gentle recorded leaving music.

I have a question about sitting the whole time. Is there a reason for not doing standing and moving songs, or songs where the babies socialize with each other? Things like a simple standing group dance that involves coming together and pairs of babies to interact? Babies could feel different movements such as running, skipping twirling, etc. Could this be incorporated or is sitting in SM 1 the rule?

[Meredith Pizzi]

Hi, Mary and others. It is great to have such a full and varied group of participants in this course. I know that some of you have started late, so I have been going back through the forum to try and answer some questions and provide some comments. Mary, we really support each Sprouting Melodies Provider in giving each of their groups the individual experiences that they need at the time, therefore we don’t don’t talk about ‘rules’ but rather developmentally appropriate practices. The infants and babies in Sprouting Melodies 1 are generally in the Awareness and Trust levels. Experiences are focused on bonding with their parent or caregiver and then feeling safe enough to reach out to explore their immediate environment. This is sometimes done sitting and sometimes done standing and moving. The examples from the video showed some specific songs encouraging synchronous movement with their grownup. This can be done sitting or standing, but always includes close contact. It has been my experience that this grownup/child dyad needs to be firmly established before the babies get to the point of peer to peer socialization.

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