[Alexis Ramagnano]

Singing:
Awareness – Attain some eye contact and vocal sounds while listening to sound source.
Trust – able to randomly imitate/match sounds provided by source. Able to create/explore certain consonant sounds.
Independence – enjoys exploring vocal play using sound and changes in pitch. Vocalizations can be recognized as familiar songs.
Control – able to recognize melodies of familiar songs and imitate them using correct intervals. Appreciates the social aspect of singing. Enjoys singing independently.
Responsibility – enjoys independent singing and creating original songs. Able to match vocal timbre of a group of singers.

Playing instruments:
Awareness – will look toward instrument being played and move reflexively to sound stimuli.
Trust – uses hitting or grasping movements when instruments are within reach. Looks at instruments he is playing.
Independence – can move toward preferred instrument and transfer instruments to both hands.
Control – can verbally or physically identify instrument they want to play. Can re-create simple rhythms.
Responsibility – is comfortable playing a variety of instruments and is able to maintain a beat during group play.

Moving:
Awareness – able to react when physically moved along to music
Trust – can impulsively move along to music or in the absence of music
Independence – Is able to intentionally grab an instrument and use eye contact to follow the movement of music source
Control – can alter the speed of their body movements with ease.
Responsibility – can reproduce sequences of dance movements.

Listening :
Awareness – able to hear and express noticable changes in vocal timbre
Trust – enjoys hearing familiar songs
Independence – increases movements or vocalizations when listening to known songs
Control – can maintain focus on musical activity when not actively participating
Responsibility – can listen to music and express likes and dislikes. Appreciates listening to the music of others.

[Alexis Ramagnano]

I used singing, moving, and listening music experiences when I offered a music group to my 5 year old daughters pre-school class. It is now clear that they were all in the Responsibility stage. They listened intently when I offered a song they were not familiar with. They even expressed their thoughts on hearing the new song. They all were able to learn and imitate the movements to the action songs I sang. Most of them sang along with confidence. I was not able to use instruments with them because it wasn’t an option at the time.
I have not made any changes to these areas because I am not actively using these trainings yet.

[Alexis Ramagnano]

I am finding it very difficult to pin down the traditional and cultural music of my home community. I find that the Philadelphia area is so culturally diverse, as is most cities. I currently work with adults, in a place I’ve been for over 8 years, and the musical preferences are so vastly different and keep changing with each admission. Everyone here knows the Rocky theme song, and The Roots, there are so many religions, and people from every part of the world. The diversity of Philadelphia is one of the reasons I stayed here after finishing my degree at Temple University. I mean who wouldn’t love being able to go and hear any type of music almost any night of the week and also make friends with people from all over the world!
I do love the idea of having a family member and or child share a song that is part of their culture/tradition with the group! This idea is one I will definitely use.

[Alexis Ramagnano]

I have not had the opportunity to work with children professionally yet, but this weeks lesson helped me identify which musical developmental levels my children are currently in and it also helped me recall some very fond music making memories from the past. For example…
When my son was an infant (Trust level) he loved when I sang a song I made up with lyrics “bouncy, bouncy, bouncy boy” whenever he was bouncing in his lounge seat. I would sing it and help him bounce, he would frown a few seconds after I stopped, kick his legs, and then I would begin to sing again. Soon he was able to connect, when he kicked and bounced his chair, Mom would sing! He also LOVED the song “When You’re Smiling”. Eventually he began mimicking my facial expressions. He would smile and laugh along and would even open his eyes wide, raise his eyebrows, and pout during the “when your crying, you bring on the rain” section. It is one of my favorite memories and I am so appreciative to be able to connect these experiences to the musical developmental levels. I realize how helpful this knowledge will be when offering support and reassurance to the families and children I hope to work with.

[Alexis Ramagnano]

I plan on creating opportunities for parents and children in my community to bond, create connections, and offer support to each other through early childhood music therapy based programming. This is going to be a new chapter in my career as a music therapist. I want to provide children, and their parents, the support that I felt I needed ( and probably still do). I feel that this information and becoming a Sprouting Melodies provider will enhance my ability to fully support the families I hope to work with. Parents want to know that their children are in the care of an educated skilled professional. This training will provide me the knowledge and confidence to be able to meet those needs.

[Alexis Ramagnano]

I had taken a class on childhood development years ago before becoming a mother. I think the takeaway I got from this weeks lesson was revisiting this info from the perspective of being a mother. I remember how unsure I felt as a parent and imagined how I would feel if a group leader took the time to let me know that it is OK to not have things go as planned. It was also helpful to hear about the possible red flags to look out for.

[Alexis Ramagnano]

Hello! My name is Alexis Ramagnano. I live in Ardmore, PA and have been working as the Music Therapist at a residential nursing facility, in Philadelphia. The population consists of adults in wheel chairs living with MS,CP, SCI, TBI, etc. I have been working with this population for eight years now. Unfortunately, our roles are changing and new responsibilities are taking me further away from being able to provide the quality music therapy services I have offered in the past.
I am also a mother of a 5 year old and a soon to be 3 year old. My interest in working with children has grown since being a mother and witnessing the music programs that are being offered at my children’s daycare. I want to be able to provide enriching music experiences for the children/families in my community and need a solid refresher course to help me find the courage to break free from my comfort zone and follow my instincts to pursue working independently.
I find it very uplifting to hear from MT-BCs that have been successful in establishing community based programming! I hope this course will give me the tools, support, and the push I need to help me get started on this new journey.

[Author]

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