[Amy DiLabio]

I am not quite ready to dive in and become a SM provider at this time. It just isn’t feasible for me now, however I do anticipate in the future that this will be a good fit for me. The information I have gleaned has been useful in my Pre school classroom. I have been wanting to begin a music program at my local library and the ideas now I am more motivated to jump into that this summer. I am realizing just how much my community needs quality music.

[Amy DiLabio]

I am a little late to this sessions feed back, but I just wanted to say that I thoroughly enjoyed thighs Class. I had a few suggestions to make it better, but my fellow participants have already made mention of them. The material was fresh and relevant and useful beyond being a SM provider. I regret that an unexpected obligation cropped up and I missed the teleconference. I have also enjoyed reading the posts in the weekly forums and have learned a lot through you all. thank you for enriching my professional life. I will be at the MAR conference in Scranton if any of you are there it would be wonderful to meet in person.

[Amy DiLabio]

I try to be very aware of each child’s temperament and preferences so I can gauge the level of intensity of the class. This way I can provide enough diverse musical experiences for each individual child within the group.

[Amy DiLabio]

I am thankful for some new ideas and songs to use with my students. I am looking forward to putting these into practice and being able to utilize Sprouting Melodies when the time comes for me to take my practice to the next step.

[Amy DiLabio]

Every child develops musically at his or her own pace. Sprouting Melodies’ goal is to provide positive and enriching musical experiences that support and promote the developing child. Children can learn and experiment with new skills through music. In contrast music for skill building is more appropriate for older children after they have reached the Responsibility stage of musical development.

[Amy DiLabio]

5 words- social, engaging,creative, accepting, and fun

Plan over view
Gathering song: sing hello everybody and sing child’s names changing up clapping, tapping and other body movements to “wave” hello. Bonding songs–Swimming together Songs about Me: Where is the Music and then move into instrument song- I like this song and then I can move around to Movement Song–a song with scarves called Autumn leaves and then The Leaves are Falling Thanks everyone for sharing in music and sing Good bye with child’s names

[Amy DiLabio]

5 words: Busy, fun, sharing, together,and family

Facilitating groups with multiple ages can be tricky, but also very rewarding. One challenge is making sure that the musical experiences aren’t too intense for younger siblings, yet providing adequate stimulation for older siblings. Another challenge is watching out that a parent isn’t too overwhelmed helping multiple children during the class.

Gathering Song-Come and join the circle. invite everyone to participate. make sure each individual is equally addressed and ready to go for the class. I would probably do 2 gathering/greeting songs with this class.
Bonding Songs: Wiggly Jiggly car, this song identifies with something both siblings encounter each day…car seats and moving around in the car.
Songs about Me: All of This is Me. I really like this song with siblings. It is nice to relate to each other and perhaps an older sibling can help a younger sibling identify themselves.
Instrument Songs:I would do a few of these using maracas and perhaps a gathering drum.
Movement Songs: I can move around and a circle song that stops and goes, slow and fast.
Goodbye: I would probably bring the intensity of the class down a bit with a short lullaby or rocking song. I think it nice to end the session being together and bonding a bit before we sing goodbye. A nice goodbye song for this group would be It’s Time to say Goodbye using scarves.

[Amy DiLabio]

5 Sentences:
* Children learn by observing and practicing what they have observed.
* Your Child may not appear to be actively participating in the class, but really they are taking it all in and observing their surrounds. When they are home or in the car you may notice that your child will sing or act out the songs we sang and danced to in class.
* It is OK if your child moves in and out of the activity during the music. This is just part of their development of trust.
* While bouncing during a lap dance you may notice that your child is bouncing at a different tempo. Try to match their tempo while bouncing.
* Children this age still sometimes explore their world by mouthing things. If your child puts an instrument in their mouth, it is OK. Just put it into the “clean me” basket to be cleaned before its use again.

Plan: Gathering Song: Hello song with names and perhaps Are you ready for Music song.Bonding songs: Horsey, Carry Me, Jingle Up. Jingle Down. Instrument Songs:In My Little Hand,I Like This Song. Movements Songs: March with My Baby,As Big as Big can Be. Goodbye song: Now It’s time to say Goodbye

[Amy DiLabio]

I don’t have a specific brand that I lean toward. But I do like REMO drums. I use plastic maracas and jungle bells. I wipe off jingle bells with rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball. I usually wash the scarves in between classes. (I have a lot of scarves) I love scarves and use them to pretend to be many different things..leaves, super hero capes, hats….whatever the kids think up, but that is usually kids a little bit older than Sprouting Melodies II kids. I also like rain-sticks with this age group too.

[Amy DiLabio]

Stimulation: I think that it is important to be observing facial expressions and body language of the child. It can be a tough balance making sure that the activity is stimulating enough for the all of the children, yet not too overwhelming as well. I must agree that being present in the music and internally calm and sure of tempo can facilitate trust and security. A calm voice and gentle smile can go a long way with a startled young child. In addition,it is important to be observing the group as a whole to insure that the children are engaged with the caregiver or the therapist in relation to the music.

5 words: fun, energetic, safe, silly,and exciting

[Amy DiLabio]

5 words: gentle, joyful,calm, safe,and nurturing
5 sentences
*You many notice that your baby turns towards music and responds differently to gentle and more playful music.
*Please do sing the songs in and out of class. Your baby loves to hear your voice. It is comforting and reassuring to them as they are becoming aware of themselves, others and their environment.
* Notice how your child uses their arms and hands to reach toward the sounds of an instrument.
*During instrument play don’t worry if your baby puts it into his/her mouth. Babies explore their world through their mouth. Just set the instrument aside in this box and I will make sure it is cleaned for next time.
*This is a special time set aside for you and your baby. Make sure you are comfortable and just enjoy this time of bonding with your child. Be sure to make eye contact and smile as we rock together while we sing a lullaby.

My plan:
I would begin with an inviting hello song and sing each child’s name. I wouldn’t rush this special time of transition. I may even sing 2 welcoming songs. Next I would sing, Just Like Me and move into a scarf song where I would encourage the caregiver to move scarf for babies to track.After that time of play, I would transition to In my Little Hand and pass out the small maracas. I would then sing a song with movement called, I’m so Big. The motions of the song have caregivers moving babies arms out wide and bringing baby to a standing position and bouncing.To cool things down I would bring out the scarves again for a peek-a-boo song. Then it would be time for a familiar good-bye song with the guitar. I would encourage rocking side to side as we all sing good-bye.

I haven’t worked professionally with children of this age level, so my experience is limited to my own children and our shared musical experiences. I used to do a lot of lap bouncing while listening or singing to lively music as well as rocking to a lullaby.

[Amy DiLabio]

Laura, I really like your idea of facilitating a bilingual group in your community. I hope things go well in that department.

I can’t imagine a community that wouldn’t benefit from music therapy based in that setting. It offers that community the opportunity to learn and understand what Music Therapy is all about as well as having the opportunity to participate in groups led by Music Therapists. It seems to me that the concept of Sprouting Melodies would offer a lot to children and not only parents/caregivers within a community, but grandparents too. I would like to provide a class that is inter-generational. Perhaps at an over 55 community or a senior center. This would give the residents the opportunity to have a special time with their grandchild.

In the past I ran an inter-generational program at a nursing home. The home had a daycare for the workers. I ran several groups with residents and kids from the day care. There were lots of challenges because of the limitations of the residents of the home as well as the children had difficulty bonding with the residents. It took quite awhile to form a cohesive group, but overall it was a positive experience.

[Amy DiLabio]

Angie,thanks for sharing this story. It reminds me to listen to the little voice inside my head and to trust that voice. I hope you did not get sick. 🙂

[Amy DiLabio]

The responses to this forum are very encouraging to me. I see a great need for quality parent/child programs in a subsidized housing community near to me. These children are at risk and in general their parents are in need of support too. I would like to provide a class for these families, but they are not able to pay and I struggle with how to network or who to contact with regards to funding for my proposed program.I have been considering offering a class at my local library too. I thought it would help me to be a visible part of the community as well as a recognized MT provider. I am looking forward to reading the other participants ideas and plans for programs in their communities. Thanks!

[Amy DiLabio]

This has been a good exercise for me because I too struggle to understand my value as a music therapist offering music classes to young children and their families. However as I have been reflecting on the value I bring I can acknowledge that what I have to offer as a MT is unique and valuable. Personally, I bring my experience as a parent who has seen first hand the benefit of music in my children’s development . My knowledge of child development and musical development offers a lot of opportunities for parent education as well as developing a supportive program for the over all development of the children in my class. I have learned through clinical experience how to lead a group and how to foster group cohesiveness. As a MT I am qualified and skilled how to observe and adapt the music to meet the needs of the children in my groups. In addition I have experience observing developmental delays and this expertise offers value as well. Understanding these exceptionalities and how to include atypically developing with typically developing children is also valuable to my families and community.

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