Forum Replies Created
-
AuthorPosts
-
Participant
My main takeaways involve the different stages of development that have helped me with other populations as well as in working in early childhood. I also appreciated the focus on communicating what it is we’re doing and why we’re doing it, as well as pointing out what we notice, to parents and caregivers. It’s not something that has been a huge part of my training as a music therapist, and I’m learning just how important it is to help people trust and value our work on a deeper level.
ParticipantI’m excited to have started to internalize and understand developmental levels, particularly in working with young children. I’ve already found that approaching working with clients from knowing what developmental stage they’re in and where they can move toward incredibly helpful in my practice. I’m also looking forward to eventually be able to apply my knowledge and work directly in early childhood and gain experience with a population that’s new to me.
ParticipantI’ve found that making small adaptations to each child’s abilities and learning styles is incredibly helpful in making sure they’re all successful. Incorporating multiple different ways of presenting information (auditory, tactile, and visual) is something I became very aware of in my internship, and works well to engage kiddos in ways that serve them best. I’ve also found that having strong transitions is helpful, as other people have mentioned.
ParticipantEveryone has brought up really great points about the challenges of providing groups with a wide age and/or developmental range. I think it’s great to allow older children to take on the role of helper and to empower them with making choices. The balance comes in allowing for that response time when you still need to have a good session flow and to be mindful of not startling younger children. I also agree with Christina’s point that there can be sibling dynamics to factor in as well!
Participant5 words: Individuality, support, cooperation, sharing, joyful
Plan: Greeting song: “Come and Join the Circle” gives clear directions for families and older children. Bonding song: “Hold On Tight”. I love the idea of incorporating how older kiddos can be independent and younger children can still bond with their parents. Then move into “That All Makes Up Me”, use “I Like This Song” for instrument play and make sure a variety of instruments are available depending on the different ages. Movement song: “I Can Move Around”, can vary movements based on ages of children. Goodbye: “Music Time Is Over”.
Participant5 words: active, accepting, intentional, deliberate, personality
Plan: “Sit Down With Me” as a gathering song, “My Brand New Friend” using scarves for bonding – love that it allows for encouragement of kiddos connecting with each other and their family members! Then move into “Where Is The Music”, and move into instrument play with “I Can Move Around”. Instruments can also be used for “Will You Come”, and then use “Goodbye” and “Thank You Very Much” to engage with families and children as they leave.
ParticipantBrittany, you’re right that we are constantly clarifying what we do anyway, and I appreciate your focus on the flexibility we have as music therapists!
ParticipantOur constant assessment of how we can best meet the needs of children and families is definitely a key factor in how early childhood programs facilitated by a music therapist differ than the broad curriculum based music programs families may find elsewhere. I also agree that our training as music therapists allows us to better understand and facilitate music making in how we choose instruments, root ourselves in a developmental framework, and understand and address cultural concerns.
ParticipantI also love Remo drums and percussion instruments. I have the medium sized gathering drum that was one of my first purchases as a music therapist – the size was perfect and the sound was good. Paddle drums can be great also, but as other people have pointed out, using mallets with them can be tricky. I’m also not always a fan of the sound of paddle drums, and always go for accessibility and sound when choosing instruments.
ParticipantEveryone has made awesome points about using our knowledge of music and our observational skills to find the right level of stimulation that works for different children. This topic reminds me of my internship, in which I worked with visually impaired children, many of whom had ASD or other diagnoses as well. There were a lot of considerations regarding stimulation for them, especially because the students were often focusing more on sounds, timbre, texture, and proprioceptive awareness. It helped me really focus on how the music was stimulating for each student, and how to balance that stimulation.
ParticipantTony, thanks for the reminder that we can both look to parents for guidance about stimulation for their child or help them figure out where their child’s tolerance level is as well!
Participant5 words: authentic, energy, playful, exploration, variety
5 phrases: 1. It’s okay if your child is exploring and going in and out of music experiences. 2. Your baby is a stage where they enjoy suprises, but it helps to built anticipation and familiarity into that surprise. 3. Your child is playing their maraca during a pause in the music to indicate they want the music to continue! 4. It may feel like we’re pausing for a long time, but it’s important to allow your child time to process. 5. If you are sitting with your baby and putting your arms under theirs, it allows them to hold onto you and move in a way that’s comfortable for them.
Plan: Gathering song such as Hello Everybody, allow children space to explore. Then move into a bonding song, such as Wiggly Jiggly Car. Follow with an instrument play song such as In My Little Hand, followed by “That All Makes Up Me” and/or a movement song such as I Can Move Around. End with a goodbye such as Music Time Is Over, which can be combined with something like Thank You Very Much while seeing families out.
ParticipantCommunity music therapy is important because it allows us to facilitate connecting within those groups, enriching the lives of people involved. I agree with what Maryrose said about the unique skills music therapists have to facilitate with intention. I also see community work as important to address socio-economic factors that may prevent people from “coming to us” and experiencing the benefits of connection as faciliated by music therapists. If we make a point to go out into our communities and find where we are needed most, we are better able to address the needs of those who may be unable to access resources.
May 11, 2020 at 2:53 pm
in reply to: Share some of your experiences with children of this age and level.
ParticipantI honestly haven’t had much experience with children of this age/developmental level apart from babysitting almost sixteen years ago and seeing my former boss’ child being brought into work to briefly say hi to him. I am planning on observing some Sprouting Melodies classes my coworkers are facilitating soon so that I can start connecting what I’m learning to something tangible and observable.
Participant5 words: gentle, swaying, bonding, calm, joyful.
Sentences about musical responses: 1. Your baby may be more comfortable standing if they seem restless and/or are kicking. 2. If you touch the back of your baby’s hand, it may encourage them to let go of the maraca. 3. Your baby is starting to explore movement and it won’t be synchronized to music or necessarily happen during the music, which is okay! 4. Your baby may startle at the music, which is normal – everyone has different tolerance levels for stimulation. We can try to slow or quiet the music. 5. Listen to your baby’s vocalization in response to music! They may even match pitch!
Session structure: Caregivers/babies enter session to calm, simple recorded music, have time to create their space and talk to each other. Gathering song: Good Morning, welcoming families into a musical space. Go into Hello and have caregivers say hello to each baby. Move into a body part song such as “Just Lke Me” and continue physical bonding through touch with a lap ride “Row It Faster”. Encourage instrument play and exploration with “Sit With Me and Shake” using appropriate instruments. Gross motor movement: As Big As Can Be. Cool down: I See Colors with slow moving scarves. Move into goodbye song.
-
AuthorPosts
