[Amy Brownell]

I feel like having little experience with singing is something that may deter families from coming to music groups because they are uncomfortable and may even feel like they are performing in front of others. We need to find good ways to encourage them that everybody can sing! My own parents have very little musical experience and are not the greatest at matching pitch, but I am grateful they put that aside to sing with me constantly as a child!

[Amy Brownell]

This is so important – we not only plan great sessions for when the children are with us, but we can plan ahead and create interventions for parents to do at home too!

[Amy Brownell]

It is great to be able to show that children are demonstrating skills without realizing it is ‘work’ since they are having fun with the music!

[Amy Brownell]

Yes! I get so excited about small achievements, and I love helping them get excited too!

[Amy Brownell]

Just curious – how did he respond when the music was present as opposed to when it was not?

[Amy Brownell]

Agreed – it is so important to be inclusive and welcome all children of all abilities (within the right types of groups for them). Each child may not have the same family member as a main caregiver (parents, grandparents, others) and we need to include and support them all!

[Amy Brownell]

I agree – it’s so important to support the parents as well as the children so that the parents can continue this support at home!

[Amy Brownell]

Agreed – I feel that there is such a larger need for community based music making now more than ever, and this will continue into the coming years!

[Amy Brownell]

Words: Playful, Exploration, Observation, Surprise, Spontaneous

Sentences:
It is alright is your child moves to a different part of the room, they may come back to you!
Your child is moving around on your lap to try to look at the others in the room – you can turn them around to face the group so they can interact with them!
Your child looks like they have a lot of energy, so you can help them to stand and to jump during this song!
Look at how your child is interacting with the other children by coming to the center and playing the drum with them!
It is ok if your child is putting the instruments in their mouth, they are exploring! We have a bin for those instruments when you leave, and all of our instruments are cleaned before the group.

Plan:
Play recorded music as families come into the room
Have instruments placed in circle around room so children can begin to explore
Hello/Gathering Song – Sing ‘Hello Everybody’ and greet all of the children by name while the caregiver puts a little pressure on the child to acknowledge that it is their turn.
Songs About Me/Body Percussion – Have caregivers hold children in their laps and sing ‘Can You See Me?’ while pointing to different body parts.
Lap Ride/Bonding Song – Have caregivers continue to hold the children in their laps (facing in or facing out) and sing ‘Hold on Tight’ while bouncing and rocking the children from side to side.
Instrument Song – Place a large gathering drum in the middle and sing ‘Dancing in the Middle’ – allow the children to come forward to play the drum and to go back to their caregivers as they wish.
Movement Song – Have the caregivers pick up the children and march in a circle while singing ‘March With My Baby.’ Invite them to run, jump, and perform other movements while holding the children.
Cool Down – Sing the book ‘Five Little Ducks’ while children sit with their caregivers or move closer to look or turn pages.
Goodbye – Sing ‘Bye Bye’ and then ‘Thank You Very Much’ while extending hands to shake with the children and encourage them to shake hands with each other by moving their hands closer to one another.

[Amy Brownell]

The instruments that I use with my clients are mostly provided by my private practice. The majority of our instruments have come from West Music and Remo – these brands are known to be durable and reliable, which is important when working with young children (instruments that break easily can be a safety hazard). I have found that children in this developmental level love chiquitas – they are just the right size and offer a small handle. I have used the gathering drum, which they have crawled right up to and played. Our practice also has several actual baby toys and rattles which we use to give the children some familiarity with the instruments.

[Amy Brownell]

The appropriate level of stimulation is going to differ from child to child, as well as change as they age. It is important to look for signs of too much or not enough stimulation. When a child is stimulated too much by music, they may startle, cry, cover their ears, and try to leave the area. A child who is not stimulated enough may be less responsive, and may also try to leave the area while doing something new. The music therapist’s level of energy needs to be responsive to their observations of the children.

[Amy Brownell]

Community-based music therapy groups provide cost-effective ways for families and communities to come together and be the ‘village’ to support the growth and development of children. It provides education and music for adults to take home and use with their children on a daily basis. Music therapists understand how to manipulate the music to provide the best support for families and children as they grow, and the music can be tailored to specific needs.

[Amy Brownell]

I love this! I have so many Beanie Babies that I use for animal interventions since they aren’t worth anything anymore…

[Amy Brownell]

I have had limited experiences with children in this age level at this point, however I do currently work with a group of babies in a daycare that I have had for several months who are closer to the older ages for SM1. I have experienced them sitting and staring while taking it all in, as well as their changes in expression once they become more comfortable with the group. I have found that they love instrument exploration – we start by giving a small shaker to each child, but as the songs progress, they will look in my bag for more or look to their peers to try (and often take) what they have. I have brought a large gathering drum and they have loved crawling up to it and playing it with their hands – some crawl up and play a few times before crawling away, and some sit at it for several minutes with their peers! Since starting this class, I have also incorporated more lap rides, and the children have responded so well through swaying with me to the music. After the lap rides they are more willing to come up to me, so it really has made the music group more of a bonding experience!

[Amy Brownell]

Words: Gentle, Joy, Cuddling, Bonding Swaying

Sentences:
Your child is watching me as I sing, they are demonstrating awareness and taking in so much information from the music!
Your child is exploring that instrument by grasping it and putting it in their mouth – this is a safe place for them to learn more about the instrument that way!
Your child is bobbing along in response to the music!
Your child is showing anticipation that you are about to tickle them, and there is so much joy once you do!
Your child is starting to wiggle around and look around them, it looks like they are ready to turn around on your lap and face the group so they can learn more about the music and people that are around them!

Plan:
Play recorded music as caregivers enter and build their ‘nests’ with blankets, bags, carseats, etc.
Have caregivers sit on the floor in a circle with their babies on their laps.
Hello Song – Sing ‘Good Morning’ while caregivers hold their babies facing them and sway back and forth. Greet each baby and have the caregivers put their hand on the baby’s chest and apply some gentle pressure to indicate that they are being greeted.
Body Percussion/Songs About Me – Have the caregivers put their legs straight out while sitting and lay the baby in their lap. Sing ‘Just Like Me’ while the caregivers point to different parts of baby (eyes, ears, nose, etc.) and then to themselves. Have the caregivers hold the baby up and extend the song to reach out to other members of the group.
Lap Ride/Bonding Song – Sing ‘Wiggly Jiggly Car’ while caregivers hold their babies on their laps and wrap arms around the baby to pull them close before bouncing on their laps along with the music.
Instrument Song – Have the caregivers hold the baby in their laps while singing ‘In My Little Hand.’ Caregivers hold maracas and shake them above and on different body parts of the baby. They also allow the baby to explore the shakers by grasping or putting them in their mouths.
Movement Song – Have the caregivers stand with their babies while singing ‘As Big As Can Be.’ Caregivers can pick the baby up, moving from low to high, and may toss the baby up gently along with the music if they are comfortable.
Cool Down – Sing ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ while caregivers hold babies in laps and hold scarves either above them so they can watch or allow the baby to explore through grasping.
Goodbye – Sing ‘Bye Bye’ song while caregivers hold babies in laps or close to them and sway with the music.

[Author]

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