[Aliza Llovet]

I think the biggest takeaway was just the opportunity to further my knowledge of music therapy in early childhood in a very methodical and engaging manner. It is great to be part of a music therapy community and was definitely refreshing since the is one of the only time in my career that I have been the only music therapist at my agency.

[Aliza Llovet]

I think the most exciting thing for me is thinking through all of these wonderful techniques and songs and fitting them to my community’s needs. I expressed in the conference call but community is something so many individuals and families are wanting in the midst of a pandemic. Having the opportunity to provide a warm and safe environment tailored to different individuals, age groups, and abilities is such an honor.

[Aliza Llovet]

Having a sound background in development can help a music therapist quickly assess where each child’s skills are and can provide opportunities that are individualized to each one in order for them to be successful where they are at. Provide instructions in a total communication manner with visuals, sign, and verbal direction to encourage all forms of learners to engage. You can also encourage family to bring familiar or comforting items from home to assist the child in transitioning to a less familiar environment.

[Aliza Llovet]

Words: Creative, Playful, Collaborative, Active, and Deliberate

Plan: Have music play during check in procedure and encourage exploration
Greeting: Sing “Sit Down With Me”. Time for parents and kids to follow varying different actions.
Songs about me: Group can sing “I’m Glad You’re Here Today” having each child and adult say how they are feeling today to increase emotional vocabulary.
Bonding: Group can sing “Hold On Tight,” you can use the musical cues and silly play embedded into the song to encourage bonding.
Instruments: While group sings “I Like This Song.” Place 2 gathering drums in the middle of the circle and have the children and adults take turns going forth to play them.
Movement: Sing Jumping Up and Down to have children jump and can change the lyrics to encourage following directions and provide physical outlet.
Goodbye: Sing goodbye song like “Thank you very much.” This can provide structure and set up expectations of the transition.

[Aliza Llovet]

Five Words: Playful, Flexible, Village, Happy, Busy

Framework:
During check in procedure: have recorded music play and have some instruments out on floor for family to get comfortable with space through exploration. Hello/Gathering: Sing hello and welcome every child by name. The caregiver can bring attention to when it’s their child’s turn. Bonding: Can adjust to group’s activity level Jingle Up, Jingle Down or Row It Faster. Songs About Me: This may include “All of this is Me” or “That all makes up me” giving flexibility to have the older kids stand up and move. Movement: You can further continue this as much as is needed by your group since a mix of ages there’s likely or “Can You Follow” to be different motor abilities can be done with “I Can Move Around” Instrument Song: You could use “You and Me Makes We” to bring the families back together to get instruments and encourage play with songs like “Music is the Way.” Cool Down: Could be a book like Chicka Chicka Boom Boom where could have drum in the center for all to hit and can have turns to pull letters off felt tree. Good bye: Have this set aside time to prepare children for the transition to leave. Having the same good bye song helps strengthen that routine

[Aliza Llovet]

The value of a Sprouting Melodies is an engaging musical experience under a developmentally sound approach that has a therapeutic touch such as being able to assess and adapt intervention to the group needs.

[Aliza Llovet]

There’s different skills that are attempting to be mastered at each developmental level. What might be engaging and interesting for a child of 3 years will likely not be for a child of 3 months and likely even in appropriate.

[Aliza Llovet]

Five Words: Curious, Eager, Playful, Silly, Observers

Five Sentences: It’s okay to walk around “Name” will come back. What a big surprise face “Name” really responded to that change. Wow “Name,” is taking it all in. That’s all right we will clean that off later. (to parents concerned that they’re child is appropriately mouthing) “Name” looks like they need a motor break.

Plan:
During check in procedure: have recorded music play and have some instruments out on floor for family to get comfortable with space through exploration.
Hello/Gathering: Sing hello and welcome every child by name. The caregiver can bring attention to when it’s their child’s turn.
Bonding: Can adjust to group’s activity level whether presenting more of a lap sharing song or lap ride like Hold on Tight.
Songs About Me: Invite movement in this group many will want to be getting mastery of different motor abilities whether walking, running, jumping, etc. can be done with “March with my Baby” or “That all makes up me”
Movement: You can further continue this as much as is needed by your group maybe including elements of surprise in the songs by having quick changes or building up anticipation
Instrument Song: You could use “Dancing in the Middle” to bring the families back together to get instruments and encourage play with songs like “In my little hand”
Cool Down: Could be a book or maybe counting activity with felt animals or toys such as “Five Green and Speckled frogs”
Good bye: Have this set aside time to prepare children for the transition to leave. Having the same good bye song helps strengthen that routine.

[Aliza Llovet]

Great child responses to stimulation levels and our job is too manage stimulation and educate parents to these responses as well

[Aliza Llovet]

I am currently not facilitating groups but when working with individuals at this age I have been using more of the materials that the family may have at home. I work in a primarily low socioeconomic area and showing ways that the family could still engage in music making with every day items has really increased the family’s confidence and creativity and amount of music making.

[Aliza Llovet]

This varies so much child to child and even for an individual moment to moment.

This is one of the biggest values of live music where you can check the child’s response and adjust the music to meet their stimulation needs.

[Aliza Llovet]

Nostalgia Wins

[Aliza Llovet]

It does take a village and has been so missing during a pandemic.

[Aliza Llovet]

One activity that I like to bring in with this age is animal puppets. It allows tactile exploration of the material having the child open and close their hand on the puppet. You can bring in animal songs and could use the puppet along with bonding songs with tickles. It’s fun for tracking and for Infants that need black and white contrast might start with a cow and then maybe red rooster and can bring in other animals as vision improves.

[Aliza Llovet]

Experience: Giggles, Soothing, Closeness, Cuddling, and Calm (Appropriate) Environment

Musical Responsiveness: I see that “Name” is turning their gaze towards the singing. Look at “Name’s” big reach towards the the maraca shaking. “Name” calmed right down to you rocking them.Look how strong “Name’s” grasp was when you placed it in their hand. I think that’s the first time I’ve seen “Name” move their entire body.

Plan: Allow for some instrument/physical surrounding exploration during check in procedure to let caregiver and child acclimate
Hello/Gathering Song: simple rhythmic pattern gentle timbre and can provide that steady beat somewhere on the child’s body like pat on knees and sing hello to each child with the caregiver giving pat on the chest when it’s their name being sung.
Songs about me: Depending on motor ability can be laying in lap looking back at parent or be seated in a supported position. Provides lots of information about themselves and others. Ex. Just Like Me
Lap Ride Bonding song: Allow this to be responsive to the stimulation needs of the group starting with swaying, rocking at slower pace to faster and then bring it back ex. Trot Trot to Boston
Instrument play: Think about the instruments that you present at this age. One instrument that would be good is a maraca that has a ring to grasp or flat head drums with bigger drums being given to younger infants and smaller drums to those who may be hold it. ex. In My Little Hand
Gross motor movement song: Provides stimulation in all planes by lifting them up in the air and those who are ready for frolic play can stand up and throw them up. Children who want to be standing can be lifted from the standing position or whatever position they prefer at this age. Ex. As Big as Can Be
Cool down: Could be books, scarves, animal song something to bring group to floor ex. Brown Bear Book
Goodbye Song: Provides closure and transition to leaving group.

[Author]

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