[BJ Waelz]

As a music therapist I feel that I am very flexible. My training allows me to meet clients where they are at and help them move to where they want to be. Our profession is GOAL Driven, we have learned how to gently guide clients from one place (emotional state, physical state etc.) to another. We think in forward motion and for developing children that is exactly where they are, in forward motion through stages of development, at their own pace of course. As a music therapist I have an extensive background in music and I bring to the table my musical talent, knowledge and a deeper understanding of music’s effect on body and brain. Other providers of music programs, understand their program and follow a set curriculum. We as therapists are able to assess needs, set goals and provide appropriate interventions / learning experiences based on that assessment.

[BJ Waelz]

I am trying to relate more information to my parents, helping them note these little developmental steps. I continue to encourage them to be aware of their child and not be forceful in expect the child to do everything like their peer. Again, I have older children (12 mos – 36 mos) in one class. My goal is to use what I am learning to rebuild my program when we start in January. Also, I do use a lot of starting and stopping in the music, we often get very dramatic about stopping to help the child transition from playing to stopping (holding our sticks up high etc). We do a lot of activities focusing on listening and direction and for my parents of the younger ones I encourage them to allow their child to watch or follow as they are able.

[BJ Waelz]

Awareness: Singing – calm to familiar melodies , differentiate crying. Playing Instruments: close fingers over object placed in hand or grasp instr. briefly when placed in hand. Moving: use arms to reach toward source of sound, alter movement in response to melody Listening: turn facial attention towards source

Trust: Singing – make purposeful , pitched vocalizations in response to singing, vocalize in tonality of music
Playing Instruments: explore instruments with hands or mouth, allow instruments to be played on body parts, shake instrument when grasped.
Movement: move body parts with internal rhythmic beat, move entire body rhythmically in response to music
Listening: initiate vocalization in silence, look toward face of a singer

Independence: Singing: babble using melodic intonation, imitate short vocalizations
Instrument Playing: reach for / retrieve music instrument, use hands to strike instruement
Moving: move whole body rhythmically, clap hands
Listening: attend to favored music despite extraneous sounds

Control: singing: sing 2 or 3 words in phrases using pitched intervals,
Instrument Playing: use familiar instruments functionally, play with a variety of dynamic levels
Moving:sustain hand clapping, pat knees with both hands, start movement in response to music
Listening:Stop action to listen to music

Responsibility:
Singing:match pitches in high and low range, sing songs with melodic contour
Instrument Playing: alternate beating tempo, use fingers of dominant hand to play keyboard, sustain sound on a simple wind instrument for specified duration
Movement:sing and move at the same time, move and play simple instrument simultaneosly
Listening:listens to music of others, follow 2 step or 3 step musical directions, accept music suggestions of others

[BJ Waelz]

I have always tried to let my parents of younger children know that “sitting in the circle” is not yet age appropriate. However, so often the parent fears they are not engaged in class properly unless they are sitting directly and imitating. I try to point out how each child is participating in their way at their level. I have a young man, who is often off on his own usually with his back to his group. It was great to hear this little voice responding to songs through vocalization during pauses and purposeful silence. He made it clear he had been listening and wanted the music to continue. It also helped his mom be comfortable that he was truly engaging.

[BJ Waelz]

I grew up in a bluegrass / country music home and happen to love some old bluegrass tunes because they feel like home to me. These are also tunes I use often in the Nursing homes I work in because of the area I live, many clients love this musical style. I have found that because my daughter has gone so often with me to serve in nursing homes and because those bluegrass tunes are familiar lullabyes to her she gravitates towards those songs as well. The music that parents are listening too on a regular basis at home will have an influence on their musical preferences.

[BJ Waelz]

I have enjoyed the music presented. I have to admit that I have found myself “stuck” in a musical rut, using what I have used for so long and going back to favorites….which meant less prep time for me and a high comfort level for presenting what I am so familiar with. I do some experimenting within sessions, but not nearly as much as I did when I was mainly working with EI groups. I enjoyed taking in new music and really thinking about the “music” and understanding what responses I was evoking through the music…the mood, the feelings etc.
I am currently working up a new schedule to offer classes more toward infants / babies.
I also use the keyboard less often (comfort level issues) and lean towards the guitar, I have felt encouraged to work on more use of the piano for the musical variety I can offer. I have not had much opportunity this week to actually work the new music in because I was working within a specified theme for an intergenerational group and then had to cancel classes due to illness last week. So this coming week I plan to bring in a couple of new songs.

[BJ Waelz]

I took away a lot of skills. This was a great refresher for me and a reminder that I want to incorporate classes for birth to 9 mos as well as the older toddlers that I am already serving. There is so much going on at this really early age and I can see so many opportunities for use of music groups for all young children. Especially to help with family bonding at this very “busy” and tiring time for parents. I need to take a new look at the 18 – 36 mos old class that I am currently serving as the developmental range is quite expansive at this area. I have even allowed younger children to participate in these classes and feel that i would be better serving the child and parent, by possibly narrowing age groups if I can. I feel more comfortable and secure in my knowledge and glad to be adding to my EI knowledge. I am enjoying focusing on the skill sets of each age and reflecting on my own child’s development (despite that she is now in 4th grade).

[BJ Waelz]

My Name is B.J. Waelz and I am a music therapist working primarily with Seniors in Rehab and Nursing home facilities at this time. I am a graduate of SUNY New Paltz in New York State and I did my internship many moons ago at New Beginnings in Albany, N.Y. which was an E.I. program. I am a former Special Education Teacher and have always enjoyed early intervention! I currently teach an 18 -36 month old parent / child music class and a 4-6 year old music class for low income families as a community outreach through my church and I am hoping this training will help me grow and expand this ministry and possibly begin serving in other E.I. facilities near me. I enjoy being able to serve ages at both ends of the spectrum! I am new to the class and playing catch up from the first 2 weeks.

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