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Jeanelle and Penny – Wow, what an interesting experience to be interacting with clients at the end of life, and not at the beginning of life. I’m sure you see so many contrasts as well as parallels. I’d love to have a conversation about that!
Rylie and Sabrina – I’m a new professional too! It’s definitely nice that we’re all in the same boat and that we’re gathering all this knowledge so early in our careers.
August 30, 2017 at 8:16 pm
in reply to: Use 5 words to describe the music experiences in Sprouting Melodies 3.
ParticipantJeanelle – Thanks for attaching the links! Similar to what Sabrina said, it is definitely helpful for building up my repertoire.
Sabrina – I love the idea of adapting popular music to be a greeting song! That way, the children have a special connection to the music when they hear that familiar melody come on the radio.
ParticipantHilary and Sabrina – I appreciate you both bringing up safety. We want to make sure our children are safe and be solid so that our parents feel that we are in control of their children’s safety, as well.
Rebekah – I agree that these groups are an excellent opportunity for older kids to exercise leadership skills.
ParticipantSabrina – Thanks for the tip! That sounds great for providing some visual sensory input.
Rebekah – Thanks for the helpful link!
August 30, 2017 at 8:06 pm
in reply to: Share your thoughts with the board members on the role of music therapy in community based settings.
ParticipantPenny – I liked what you said about your scope of practice. Music can treat so many different populations, so it’s especially important that music therapists are aware of their specialities and capabilities.
Jeanelle – I never thought about community music as a way to promote and advocate for our more formal services – good point!
August 30, 2017 at 8:01 pm
in reply to: Use 5 words to describe the music experiences in Sprouting Melodies 1.
ParticipantRebekah – I love how you included side-by-side play with parents and children to promote visual tracking and sound localization. Goes to show you that we can approach these sessions from many different angles!
Hilary – thanks for attaching youtube links – very helpful
August 30, 2017 at 7:45 pm
in reply to: How are you planning on sharing this information with colleagues, administrators and families?
ParticipantI love the idea of creating handouts based on current research! I have never thought of doing that. What a great idea to support and advocate for any kind of music therapy service. I also think it is important to let our patients know that relevant research is happening and that their therapist is updated on it. I also love the idea of offering in-services or presentations to promote our services and to educate about how music can be helpful to young children.
Hilary – I’m glad you brought up the idea of spreading the word by just having conversations. Sometimes we forget the basics!
Rebekah – That’s great that you’ve already set-up an inservice to share this information with colleagues!
ParticipantI work in a clinic where I see individual clients and hold groups on an outpatient basis. I do have the flexibility within my position to do offsite contract work. I am trying to see how I can incorporate Sprouting Melodies classes into my schedule. This type of work closely aligns with my personal philosophies about inclusive music in the community. I also plan to use many of the Sprouting Melodies techniques and ideals in my clinical music therapy sessions, including applying the knowledge of early childhood development in music. I work with clients with varying abilities, and the fact that the music development stages don’t have an age attached makes it easy to relate them to the diverse group I see.
Jeanelle – Yes, the “light bulb” went off for me as well, relating to how Sprouting Melodies may actually look within a practice.
Sabrina – I think it’s responsible of you to make sure you have time to focus on your new role as a supervisor. As you know, I’ll also be exploring that role for the first time and I also think it’ll be a great growing opportunity for both of us.
ParticipantI am most looking forward to interacting musically with young children. I am passionate about working with children, and I have yet to work with babies and young toddlers in this type of setting. I am also really excited about the community element to Sprouting Melodies. I love the idea of bringing together a specific group within the community and seeing them for bonds throughout the program.
ParticipantI think my favorite thing about the Sprouting Melodies program is the respect and honor given to the child. We are always reminding parents that any response that a child has to the music is okay. Yes, our children are always communicating with us through their responses, and often, we are adjusting an adapting to meet them where they are. We’re supporting their unique journey with development. Penny – I like how you discussed meeting the child’s immediate need that day.
Jeanette – rely on the music!As far as keeping the group united, I always go back to trusting the music. Music naturally elicits the joint attention we’re often looking for in group experiences. I think it’s important to share this with parents, as they go home and use the music we present to them.
Hilary – I like your idea of using mini goal areas for each client. That seems like it would be very helpful in planning.
All of these strategies require knowledge that music therapists’ specifically possess. It’s great to think about how we are specially equipped with strategies to run this type of community music group.
August 27, 2017 at 10:18 pm
in reply to: Share how you can explain to parents the difference between music for development and music for skill building.
ParticipantRylie and Rebekah – I appreciate that you both pointed out that music for development is more broad and general, while music for skill building is more specific and directed.
Music can be a great tool in supporting your child’s development. Music is flexible in that we can support a child’s development across many different domains and at any unique rate they may be growing.
Music to build skills would include creating specific, individualized objectives that are geared toward a skill-related goal and addressing it with goal-directed music interventions. This process would be more formally “clinical” than the typical sprouting melodies class.
ParticipantI think it’s important to make sure there are options within the music experiences we provide for various ages. For example, if we’re prompting to wiggle, we are encouraging standing and wiggling our whole bodies and sitting and wiggling our toes. This goes right along with what many of you have already mentioned about adaptability. This is another perfect example of our music therapy skill set at work. I also like the idea of creating different roles for the children at each developmental level that is represented. For example, the Control and Independence kids put the scarves over their face and while turned toward their younger sibling or another younger child in the group. As long as we are intending to meet the needs of all developmental levels represented in our session, it can be a positive bonding experience for the family.
August 27, 2017 at 7:55 pm
in reply to: Use 5 words to describe the music experiences in Sprouting Melodies 3.
ParticipantSprouting Melodies III
1.) Lively
2.) Directional
3.) Initiation
4.) Back and Forth
5.) Emerging individualityGathering/Greeting: Hey Howdy Hey (Melinda Korte) – simple greeting song that provides space and multiple opportunities to greet members with “hi.” Also greeting each parent and child by name.
Bonding Songs: Swimming Together (EKS) supporting connection between parent and child, as well as emerging imaginative play.
Songs About Me: That All Makes Up Me (EKS) – body awareness and relating with others.
Movement Song: Shake Your Body Down (Laurie Berkner) This tune references different body parts and prompts many different types of movements. I would use a simplified version of the song that prompt to only clap, bounce and shake.
Instrument Songs: I Like This Song (EKS) Introducing more complex harmonic content. Children have the option to play instruments or not. One handed or two-handed instruments are offered depending on the developmental levels of the children.
Goodbye: Time to Say Goodbye (Original) – Grounding song, addresses each group member by name.Family Sprouts
1.) Shared Experience
2.) Relational
3.) Encouragement
4.) Happiness
5.) VarietyGathering/greeting: Hey Everybody (EKS)
Bonding Songs: Hold On Tight (EKS) Siblings can do this together to preface the group as a shared experience.
Songs About Me: Can You See Me (EKS) Use scarves to cover faces; supporting all the different relationships that exist within the group.
Instrument Songs: “I’ve Got the Whole Band” (Original Songs) This tune showcases different instruments and provides opportunities for all different developmental levels. We will also be identifying each group member by name and what they’re playing or doing.
Movement Songs: “I Can Move Around” (EKS)
Goodbye: “Farewell, Goodbye,” (Original Song) Simple, two word goodbye song; steady tempo and dynamic to cater to younger ones and encourage “winding down” at the end of the groupParticipantHilary, I agree this is a tricky question to answer because, similar to many questions we ask in our work, the answer depends on the unique people involved. Laura, I agree that we should always be adapting! Part of our unique MT skill set.
It’s important to maintain a calm and steady demeanor, even during the suspenseful moments. Predictable surprises are appropriate at this stage. If the children are on the younger end, the variations and surprises are going to be kept on the smaller end. If they’re on the older end, more stimulation is appropriate. I think the most important thing to remember while balancing out the stimulation in SM II is to be a “solid object” no matter what. As Meredith and Beth mentioned, these children are venturing away from their caregivers at times, but they need to know that we’re here for them to come back to.
ParticipantI also do not work with this age group. However, with my 3-5 year olds, I use egg shakers, small frame drums, and colored ocean drums.
I appreciate everyone’s suggestions!
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