[Ann Marie Raddell]

I have already shared some of the information provided with the families in my early childhood music classes. I have been more intentional about educating the parents/caregivers in the group. Just the other day, a mom was attempting to encourage her little boy to do the actions of a movement song when he was clearly content to observe. I was able to quickly explain that her son’s brain was firing at the same rate as the other children just by watching the movements of the other kids. At that point, she relaxed more even though her son was participating in a different way. I also shared the name of the Sprouting Melodies training course with my two music therapy coworkers as well as some relevant information and some considerations with the Director of Education at my agency.

[Ann Marie Raddell]

I will continue my current work for my music therapy agency with a renewed excitement for the early childhood groups offered. This coursework has given me much to consider in how to create and implement sessions to support the development of young children. I don’t know many music therapists that work in early childhood, so it was refreshing to connect with other music therapists that understand the importance that music plays in development beginning at an early age.

[Ann Marie Raddell]

Congratulations, Noelle!

[Ann Marie Raddell]

Sprouting Melodies has wonderful networking connections, and I love the idea of having a support network of those in the same practice. I see the value in being able to share ideas, strategies, music and songs, and problem-solving skills. While I definitely plan to incorporate meaningful aspects from this class in my own early childhood music therapy work, at this time, I do not intend on becoming a Sprouting Melodies provider, but will happily refer others to this course.

[Ann Marie Raddell]

One strategy that I have found helpful is to meet each child where he/she is at. Each child is different and his/her needs may be different. Continually assessing the individual needs of the group members, while also keeping the group dynamic in mind is so important. In doing so, both the children and the caregivers are comfortable. I have observed that parents get really nervous when a child displays behaviors that are very typical for that particular age group. In supporting the parent in managing the child’s behaviors, and reminding the parent that the child’s responses are natural for his/her developmental age, the parent is better able to relax and ENJOY the music-making time with the little one.

I also have learned through the years to have fun with the groups. When I am having fun, those participating sense that joy too.

[Ann Marie Raddell]

Sprouting Melodies 3: active, deliberate, creative, strong, intentional.

“Let’s Sing Hello Together” – gathering song; greet each child by name.
“Oh Gather Round” – additional gathering song.
“Swimming Together” – bonding song.
“Bean Bag Dance” – songs about me.
“You Play A Little” – instrument play.
“Will You Come” – movement.
Pete the Cat: Wheels on the Bus – book to cool down.
“Goodbye Song” – closure; sing goodbye to each child.

Family Sprouts: adaptive, supportive, joyful, sharing, individualized.

“Let’s Sing Hello Together” – hello song to greet each child.
“Sit Down With Me and Sing This Song” – additional gathering song.
“Wiggly Jiggly” – bonding song.
“Put Your Finger On” – songs about me.
“I Like This Song” – instrument play for everyone!
“I Can Move Around” – movement.
“Row Your Boat” – familiar song that can be adapted with additional movements to fit the needs of children of different ages/abilities.
“Goodbye Song” – sing goodbye to each child.

[Ann Marie Raddell]

Music for development is the practice of using music to support the natural development of the child. Music for skill building is a targeted effort to teach children skills that will help the child better navigate his/her environment, such as how to interact with others.

[Ann Marie Raddell]

As I already shared in the forum of a previous module, a need for my community is early childhood classes for families with multiple children. Most of my classes are for children from birth to age five. When I first added a class with a broader spectrum of ages, it was challenging trying to adapt music experiences for each child in each different developmental stages. Equally challenging, was ensuring that each child received an equal amount of attention. Discovering the correct and most natural pacing for the session was also a learned skill. I wanted to be sure that the younger children in the group were not too overwhelmed, but that the older children had enough stimulation and excitement.

[Ann Marie Raddell]

Thank you, Kristina. 12 is what I chose as well. I agree. I was comfortable with no more than that.

[Ann Marie Raddell]

My facility has a lot of Remo drums, of various types and sizes, which I often use with children of this age. We have gathering drums of several sizes, along with bongos. We also have nesting drums. I also have been experimenting with Lummi sticks. Instead of wooden sticks that could be dangerous in the mouth, these ones are plastic, easy to hold, and safe for little ones. And even though children of this age have difficulty with the fine motor of castanets, I purchased plastic finger castanets for use in all of my early childhood groups. The children like to try to shut them between there hands, which can actually encourage the clapping motion. And some of the children in that age group are able to make the castanets work. I use them to sing songs about opening and shutting. We have several different sizes of scarves available on site. Some of the large scarves are too big for these children, and then they trip on them when attempting to walk and move with them. I bought some smaller square ones that they are able to manipulate just a bit better. I also use bean bags. Ours are able to be wiped down and sanitized. I have parents sing about body parts and gently place the bean bags on the child’s body, which is fun for baby. And as already mentioned, the heavier Chiquitas are wonderful for this age group. Another recent purchase for my facility was a desk bell/hand bell set for instrument exploration. The older children in this age range like exploring the instruments and the different ways to play it (either ringing it or pushing the button in it to make it ring). Our desk bells are Rhythm Band brand.

[Ann Marie Raddell]

Playful, Free, Energetic, Surprising, Fun

Make sure your baby’s feet are planted firmly on the ground. Your baby enjoys bonding with you, but also may feel secure enough to engage with the other adults/peers in the room. Your baby is able to make musical choices even if they are not doing what the music therapist is doing. Have your baby face outward, so they can see the environment around them. It is okay for your baby to explore my guitar.

“Let’s Sing Hello Together” – hello song to greet each child.
“Hey, Hey Come And Play” – additional gathering song.
“Wiggly, Jiggly” – bonding song with the sensation of movement.
“Open, Shut Them” – songs about me. I adapt the lyrics to this for familiar song.
“Shake Your Shaker” – a stop and go shaking song with the element of surprise along with different musical choices.
“Come Along And Sing This Song” – (subbing word “play” or “drum” for the word “sing”) – drumming on the gathering drum.
“Walking, Walking” – opportunity for movement, running, jumping, marching.
“Goodbye Song” – closure, goodbye song

[Ann Marie Raddell]

Part of the reason that I did not enjoy the music class that I took with my daughter is because I found it to be overly stimulating. As a music therapist, I observed that some of the children were leaving the circle just because it was too much for them to tolerate. I was able to tell the difference between times when the children were exploring the surrounding (age appropriate) vs. times when the music and process was too stimulating. There were not many songs to give a break from the energetic experiences. Music therapists are able to assess children in the moment and adapt to the needs of the group. If the dynamic may be a bit much, a quick adaptation from the original plan may be needed. I also believe that group numbers can play a role in overstimulation. Does Sprouting Melodies have a cut-off to how many children are in each group? In the beginning of starting these groups, there were times when there were just too many children/caregivers in one of my groups, so I have talked to my agency to set a limit, which has significantly helped.

[Ann Marie Raddell]

Ideas for session plan:

“Let’s Sing Hello Together” – the hello song that I use to greet each child
“Good morning to You” – another gathering song in 6/8 that provides that “swaying feeling”
“Row, Row, Row Your Boat” – I also add some different movements if the babies are able to tolerate (bounce our boat, sway the boat, tickle the boat, etc.)
“Just Like Me” – absolutely love this song with the suggestions provided in the video
“Shake Your Shaker” – exploration of instruments
“Snowman” with scarves – can be used as a cool down or play song depending on how it is sung and based on group need
“Goodbye” – song for closure

[Ann Marie Raddell]

I have had music groups with children in this age level. One of the most common responses from parents is, “I didn’t know my baby could do so many things!” Especially when a very young infant attends a group. Parents often seem surprised by the music responses that they observe. I have found that I have an important role in educating parents that there child is not “too young” to participate in a music group.

I really enjoyed my own children during this stage. My baby had a bone marrow transplant at 9 months old. I never appreciated my education as a music therapist more than I did during that time. Providing music experiences for my little girl during that long hospital stay was extremely helpful to her and to me. And I am positive that our music time shared gave us an even stronger bond. Hospital staff often commented how our hospital room was the most peaceful room. We always had music playing (I was very selective with music type to provide the calmest experience for my baby) to help drown out some of the machines beeping and other disturbing hospital sounds during the times when I wasn’t singing to her.

[Ann Marie Raddell]

I really appreciate the array of songs presented in this module. I love the idea of using both familiar and new songs. It was another wonderful reminder of incorporating hello/gathering songs, bonding songs, instrument playing opportunities, play songs and a goodbye into session planning to make for a well-rounded and functioning group.

[Author]

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