[Becky Wellman]

In the Chicago area I am lucky to be exposed to a United Nations worth of diversity in my sessions. I have learned about many different cultures and traditions through my interactions with these families. When I can, I try to include a song in another language to include that child in the session. A favorite (for all of the kids) is Los Pollitos. It’s simple and repetitive (I have an eight year old who is OBSESSED with learning Spanish right now so he’s learning it by rote with me) and the kids can understand being hungry and cold. My Polish is still pretty rocky so I haven’t done a lot with that, but I have several families at the moment who are helping me increase my skills in this area as well.

Because of this, I find I spend a good bit of time teaching traditional American children’s songs to the parents so they can use them at home. I have found that many of my immigrant families want to learn and use these songs with their children so they can fit in once they attend school. Something we are finding with our lower income families is that their children do not know songs which we consider part of the foundation of early childhood music. In speaking with friends who teach music in the Chicago Public Schools, they are finding that they spend the first year or two of music education not teaching pedagogy as they normally would, but covering the basics they would expect the kids to have from their home environment. This is different than the more affluent suburbs where parents are seeking music experiences for their children to start the second they get home from the hospital.

All this being said, what is traditional for me in my area? It’s hard to say. It changes with each session and the families involved!

[Becky Wellman]

exactly! 😉

[Becky Wellman]

As I work with kids this age every day, do presentations (with Beth) about development, have studied development, and LOVE development the majority of this was an excellent review. Something I can add is that sometimes celebrating something that the parent sees as a negative can really help. For example, when a child is having a complete melt down-I mean throwing themselves on the floor screaming-I look at the mom and say “outstanding! Temper tantrums are a developmental milestone. They’re trying, but normal.” The first time I say it the mom usually looks at me like I’m crazy, but over time they start to see that some of the behaviors they hate are everything their child need to work through to become competent human beings!

I did appreciate the reminder about teeth. I have a bag of chewy tubes, nook brushes, jigglers, etc. in my therapy bag (which I sometimes bring to my groups as well) with some wipes for those kids who need some oral stimulation to keep from biting everyone. I also remind the parents that it’s (again) typical for kids to bite and we just need some gentle redirection to something we can bite (like a chewy). Not every mom is OK with that, but we do our best!

I’ve found over the years that a simple word from us to either reassure them that what they see is normal or confirm their fears that something is wrong can really help a parent. Even when they don’t really want us to agree that something is off, they truly appreciate us bring it up. Of course I don’t start with “I think your child has autism”, but many times the family is already thinking it before I bring it up. Highlighting red flags (like Beth mentioned) and having a resource available for them (I have the early intervention office’s number memorized for them, but if you have some flyers about the programs in your area, know who to contact at the local school, or know therapists who work with children that age) can really mean a lot!

[Becky Wellman]

What do I bring to Early Childhood music sessions? I think a big part of what I bring is that I have fun with them. So many of the other therapists I work with are very serious with the kids. The children must sit. The children must listen. The children must follow directions. Sure, they’re great attributes, but I find that making it all fun brings greater results. The parents usually look at me like I’ve lost my mind at first, but usually join in and learn how to enjoy their children as well. Too many times parents of children with special needs are completely focused on their daily care, the next treatment, and proactive behavioral care and forget that they have CHILDREN who need some fun!

How does this support my life as a music therapists? When planning my sessions I try to make sure that I’m balancing work and fun. The children in my sessions work very hard and make amazing progress, but rarely notice how much work is going on. I once had a parent complain about how much I was making for “playing and singing songs”. I responded by telling her that it was a lot of work to make it look so easy! In all honesty, combining music, language, movement, silliness, and general fun not only helps the children I work with meet their goals and objectives, but remind their parents of what childhood is all about. For many, it helps them feel comfortable interacting with their children as well!

Oh yeah, and I have a PhD in developmental psychology and state certification in developmental therapy which helps me stay on track with what is appropriate and what is not. (Just in case Meredith and Beth feel they need to add that too…geeze) 🙂

[Becky Wellman]

I don’t think you two know what “under the radar means” 😉
Anyway, it’s always fun to be with people who “get it”.

[Becky Wellman]

Geeze Meredith, way to ruin my plan for sliding under the radar and just being part of the gang! Thanks for your kind words. Honestly, I feel like I still have so much more to learn about children and how they “work”. It’s what keeps it fresh and new for me (along with seeking children with rare disorders-it’s like ants to a sugar bowl).

Can’t wait to see what next week brings!

Becky

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