[Angie Carter]

I co treat frequently with speech and physical therapists and they have really been eager to hear each week what I have learned. This has been very encouraging for me. I am in the midst of establishing some in-services as well and providing sample groups to specific groups in the community. I just wish there was more money out there!!!!

[Angie Carter]

Congrats to both of you! What a wonderful class full of information. I’m sure this is no surprise to either of you, but you can never hear it enough…….your branding is wonderful. I had 2 website designers take a look at the Sprouting Melodies site and they were able to look much deeper into the info than I ever could and they were very impressed with the work you have put into it. They also fully supported that this company will take off! (As you already know:)

And for other providers, incase you want to go back and do this, I used my voice recorder to record some of the songs I was really interested in so I could pull them up quickly to use. Of course, Beth’s song book and cds made a difference as well. Thanks very much ladies!!!

[Angie Carter]

I am using the songs everyday with my 0-3 kiddos and that has been wonderful due to burn out. New songs have facilitated new conversations with parents.
i have especially enjoyed the excitement of the kiddos when I set down the guitar and do more chanting. I’ve been surprised by the smiles and engagement the chanting has allowed.

As for professionally, all it took was talking to the youth librarian for 3 minutes and I will be providing 5 music classes in May. It is not an ideal set up as it is open to all 0-3 year olds and not broken down by ages, but I agreed to do it this way now and then stated in the future I would like enrollment to be limited and to have age levels. They are paying me, which is encouraging! This will be good to get word out and get started. I have a lot of ideas rattling around in my head, but until some of them begin to pan out, I will need to wait to become a SMP.

[Angie Carter]

As an early intervention provider, I use music for development on an everyday basis. I share with families the various grasps we are looking for with maracas and how that transfers to blocks or the rotation of the wrist when using a mallet. I help them to observe whether a baby’s hand is open or closed and how that often changes with the presence of a sparkle drum. I can describe the evolution of vocalizations to song and instruments and how it is magnified by the use of music.

Musical skill building is emphasized more in classes such as Kindermusic. These actions will happen naturally through classes with a music therapist, but are not the emphasis.

[Angie Carter]

Words: Chaotic, diverse, cooperative, busy, rivalry

Plan: I would imagine for me, this being set up more as a Sprouting Melodies 3 class. Overall, I would like to “use” the older children to pass instruments, selecting instruments, help with cleaning up and in general, leading. This does not just pertain to their family.
Gathering song: “Come and join the circle” and “Hey everybody”
Bonding Songs: I feel these are especially important for this group. Atleast 2 could be placed during the class as needed, expcially if things begin to get a little out of control:)My favorites are Hold on Tight and Wiggly Jiggly. I like Row your boat too!
Songs About Me: “That all Makes up me” and “Just like me”
Instrument Songs: I enjoyed “I like this song” and see how it could carryover with all ages.
Movement Songs: I can Move around
Goodbye: “See ya later alligator” and “Music time is over”

The challenges are very obvious, as the parents are well aware. But we are at an advantage of helping the parents establish stratagies that they can use at home with their children to have a family activity. When the challenges are occuring, I feel the parents would benefit from using their situation as an example. I would have loved if someone had done that with me when I had 3 children winning the battle over me! What are acceptable behaviors. When do you use that firm voice. What can I do to have them particiapte in the same activity? All of these are challenges on a daily basis for families. Can we can give our opinions and provide support.

[Angie Carter]

Words: wishy washy, independent, emotional, active, strong

Plan:
“Good Morning, Good Morning” to welcome
Gather song: Using actions, clap hands, stomp feet, “Clap your hands, come on clap your hands. It’s time for music”
Hello song: At the gathering drum or individually on the guitar, sing greeting song to each child….adapt as needed based on class size.
Bonding song: I really enjoy “my Brand New Friend” and see this as an adaptable song. Begin by using hula hoop or scarf in the begininng, with a goal to possibly hold hands by the end of the class session
Bonding song with more option to be with caretaker. I would like to learn “swimming together”
Songs About Me: Where is the music and “Just like me”
Instrument Songs: I imagine these songs to be the favorites. “You play a little” is great! I especially like the options of sharing, passing and such.
Movement Songs: I like Laurie Berkner’s song “Swim in my soup”. We pick out different actions of running, jumping, walking, swimming. Lots of giggles and crazies!
Good bye: “See ya later alligator” and the “Thank you song” I love the thank you song!

[Angie Carter]

I have adapted presentation as needed. I often use picture cards and picture schedule to help organize the session. I typically vary volume as needed to keep attention and my level of play and body movement. Silly sounds and vocalizations enhance group settings and increase imitation and participation of the children as well. I love the spontanaity of group settings!

[Angie Carter]

With 8 minutes to go:) I am wondering:
-Did the library pay you, Meredith, for your monthly group?
-Is online payment included in the $400?
-What abotu expansion in prep for Early Childhood classes, kids attending Sprouting Melodies independnetly of their parents?
-How do parents respond to varying modes of melodic music? More difficult to sing?
-Will we still have access to the weekly videos after the class is complete?

Thanks ladies and talk to you in 6 minutes!

[Angie Carter]

I am looking forward to bringing families together and providing bonding experiences for parents. I feel there is so much that I missed out on in baby and toddlerhood because someone wasn’t there telling me to notice the little things along the way. I am truly hoping to establish groups in our community as I know there is tremendous need and have parents asking regularly.

[Angie Carter]

Constant assessment is required when monitoring stimulation. At “just right”, I am looking for the child who is engaged and watching their caretaker, other parents or the therapist in the room. They are able to participate through action and/or engaged observation and check back in with adults. They alt to”surprise”, but do not cry, startle or fear it. They are able to follow transitions between tasks with musical prompting.

I would know a child is over stimulated if they demonstrate a startle response followed by a cry. Many of my children I would need to monitor flapping hands and arms, mechanical giggle, and running and jumping in unorganized fashion. Other children may shut down, crawl in caretaker’s lap or move to corner in the room. When I assess these behaviors I would alter the timbre of my voice and adapt the lessons plan if needed for the day. Modifying volume and tempo would also be considered to bring children to an organized body and mind. Check the posture as well for firm feet!

5 words: playful, spontaneous, engaging, explorative, careful

5 sentences:
1. Place your child on your lap. Have the child’s feet touch firmly on the floor to help organize him. To help him stomp, hold his ankles and move up and down, making sure toes touch when helping him stomp.
2. Your child does not have to do the exact movement we are asking for. This is about musical choices.
3. It is ok for your child to move away from you during the class. He is exploring his environment and becoming more independent.
4. How your child plays the maraca will change over time. She may not start by shaking it. Did you notice this week she really started to move the maraca, it was very slow, but she is starting to play
5. The maraca may be in his mouth, but did you see, when the music stopped he took it out of his mouth, and when the music started again he put it back in his mouth. He is recognizing a change within the music.

Plan:
Gathering song: 2 word Hello Song. I really enjoyed the idea of simplicity. “Hey Hey Come and Play”. I’ve incorproated this into each my sessions now.
Bonding Songs: Hold on Tight and Wiggly Jiggly
Songs about me: Just Like me and All of This is Me
Instrument Songs: Sit with Me and Shake, My shake song
Movement Songs: March with My Baby, Scarf Song
Gathering Drum to bring everyone back for Goodbye
Goodbye: My Good Bye song, Music Time is Over, Thank you Very Much for transition out

[Angie Carter]

I’m a maraca junkie…..lots of maracas, little consistency. I use plastic all the time. I found some light weight ones with jack-o-lantern faces years ago that are preferred by almost everyone. I gave up putting them away after Halloween. I have not bought many recently, so I’m not sure the brands,but I prefer ones with a little weight to them, little Chiquita types. This seems so obvious, but I love the idea of dividing all the instruments by age level. I’ve been grouping them by instrument. I do not have any of the infant maracas with the circle handles. On the list.

I too would love insight into cleaning bells as the kids really enjoy them.

I need more drums! I have all remo as well. Sparkle drum, ocean drum, 1 hand held, 2 bongos and a lollipop drum. I love the large gathering drum and need to get one!

[Angie Carter]

Flowing, gentle, bonding, simple, soothing

1. The music, touch and facial closeness will illicit bonding. Using these songs at home will provide more opportunity for bonding.
2. Our initial focus for your Baby will be building awareness
3. Babies and young children explore with their mouths. It’s ok for them to mouth the instruments
4. Approximately 18 inches from your face is the optimal position for your baby to look at you as we sings this song
5. Begin by moving your scarf very slowly for your baby to follow or track. As they get older they will be able to follow more quickly moving objects. Anticipate the they may startle at moving objects or changes in the music.

1. Hello to each child. Really liked the first hello song that was sung. Very relaxing and calming for parents as well.
2. Song such as “just like me”- baby mains still, but it serenaded in a loving manner
3. Bonding song with movement-I’ve been using “row your boat” as we’ll and I LOVE the comment that life is not always like that and it’s ok, it will get better.
4. Instrument song-I struggle with this for the younger babes and look forward to learning some new ones. I think the ones I have are to fast paced.
5. Another visual tracking song with something such as scarves. I have an “up and down” song that would be good for a class of older babies
6. Good bye to each using their name and then to everyone until the session seems to have come to close

I have recently begun to work with 3 babies, 3-6 months old,all born approximately 26 weeks gestation. I have been using the songs shared from this program and it has been fascinating exploring how I and the parents change the timbre, tempo and expression as we do the songs with the younger children. There is one that I am not able to use the guitar with due to startle and another that loves and craves the movement songs. They are all so different. I have especially loved working with one of the families as I felt that Mom has been having a difficult time bonding. She was so preoccupied by something possibly being wrong with her baby that she couldn’t enjoy him. Through the music she shares with him each week she is now relaxing more and snuggling with him, rather than always having him on the floor “because that is the only way he is going to catch up”.

[Angie Carter]

I am very intrigued by several of Amy’s ideas, including the intergenerational groups and grandparents as caregivers. What an opportunity for families, and it may also provide a facility for groups to take place.

I struggle with the idea that the community would benefit from a music therapy group and families being willing to pay for a music therapist to facilitate. They express the want, but don’t want to pay. Then when a new free music group started, they complained that it was no good!

The connections and bonding are a portion that I would really like to promote. I feel we are all forced to be too fast paced and we miss out on so much with our children. I know I did and that’s what I see with our families. They feel like they have to do it all, and end up not doing nothing with their children because they are so overwhelmed. I want families to have simple and enjoyable music they can share, making an impact on their child and for themselves. This is music therapy for them as we’ll. They are exhausted!

[Angie Carter]

6 days out and did not get sick! I survived that illness exposure…..we all know there will be daily exposures…that one was just a little close for my comfort!

[Angie Carter]

We have NO professional music groups of any kind in our community! There are little story time groups at the library, several Mom’s groups and a free music group led by a childcare coordinator. I initially encouraged many of my families to attend this group when it started a year ago as it seemed like an oppotunity. The reviews have not been good. Dull, slow, too repetitve, boring. The idea was to provide a non stressful environment where kids and parents could interact with music. Good premis!

The past summer I provided a music class for 18-3 yr olds 1 time per week for 8 weeks out of my home. It was successful, but limited because no one wanted to pay.

I feel strongly that the community needs opportunity for music and development classes. One of the biggest needs I see if the “discovery”, facilitating interaction between child and parent. So many social groups are encouraging independence and separation, but this class has really demonstrated the importance and opportunity of parent child interaction. I often feel like this is something that I missed out on with multiples, and that has made it difficult for me to realize how important it is to stress that to families.

I have concern with how to get this program up and running and funded. I looking forward to more info on marketing and program development.

[Author]

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