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It is hard to answer this question alone without knowing a client! It really can depend so much on the child and what they may be going through that day. If the client seems to be reacting in a way that is not typical for them, working on regulation may be the solution to getting them back to their baseline. If you see a group or client who begin to get overexcited or energetic it is a good sign that they can be overstimulated. Noticing typical stimming behavior with some clients and what is out of the ordinary for them is also a good sign that overstimulation has occurred.
November 13, 2022 at 9:40 am
in reply to: How have you used these four music experiences in your practice?
ParticipantSinging: Singing has always been a big aspect of what I do in sessions. Improvisation about what the clients are doing, singing instructions, having clients fill in phrases and sing with me. I also use a lot of vocal improvisation to aid in communication and verbalizations with my clients.
Instruments: I use a wide variety of instruments in sessions. Using the drum and percussive instruments to work on a variety of skills as well as provide sensory input for the clients. The instruments are motivation to the kids that I work with the maintain engaged. I also use guitar and keyboard a lot throughout sessions, working on improvisation,learning songs, and motor skills.
Moving: Movement has aided in sensory regulation and engagement in clients that I work with. There are many times where all they seem to need is to be able to move aroung and get out energy/regulate to engage more in the other areas of the session.
Listening: I try to listen a lot in sessions! Song choices and why they may bring those into the session that day. Listening to verbalizations to be able to improvise and follow along with then. Listening and watching for how they are playing that day to see what their needs may be. I have also had many instances where clients will begin telling me about stressors and we focus on venting and me listening to them during sessions.
ParticipantMy key takeaway from this course is just how much music goes hand in hand with early childhood development. While I knew how music was able to be used through a music therapy education, this has opened a new perspective and how much it benefits. It also helped me better understand the full way that children develop and what to look for in children in sessions as well as adapting to aid with other individuals that I work with. I also am excited to continue to use the language and knowledge I learned in this course with parents, families, and school staff that I interact with. Being able to explain to them why I am seeing certain things and give them insights on what to look for as well. I hope to be able to start/lead some classes with more children as well! As many of my work colleagues have also taken this course, I hope to be able to collaborate with them in this area and share skills that we have all taken away.
ParticipantObserving and getting to know the client in the group and what works the best for them has been something I have always tried to do in groups to make sure they are all getting the best experience for them. Watching out for clients that may need extra support and aid and noting times/experiences that I see the most with them helps me prepare for how I can best support in the moment. There is a preschool group that I recently started seeing where all of the clients are at different levels and require different support. In this group, I have to plan out the instruments and experiences that I bring in that can involve everyone, but will not over-stimulate some of the clients in the group. It has been a great learning experience for knowing what is too much for some! Building in sensory and regulation interventions into the schedule has helped for everyone as well.
ParticipantSome of the things that I am the most excited about using this knowledge is being able to transfer these skills into all areas that I work with. Adapting this knowledge when working with my individual kids and kids with IDDS to connect more with them and offer more sensory support. I have a new client that I am working with who albeit is slightly older than the children in the course has some fear of new people and is slow to get comfortable with new people. Using the songs and techniques taught here has really helped him open up quickly with me and we are making such good progress! The knowledge and language taught in this course has also helped me feel more comfortable speaking about progress with both families and the school staff that I work with and advocate for the clients and music therapy.
ParticipantLike many have stated, the challenges of a multi-age group involve being able to adapt to all of the development needs of each individual. Being able to give everyone the attention they need while still addressing the group as a whole can be a challenge. Having the older clients act as mentors and models for the younger ones can aid in this challenge. Adapting and finding songs and interventions that can be used for the entire group and adaptations for different developmental levels is also important for the group.
ParticipantI agree with what everyone has said so far! Going into what was said regarding our training and clinical backgrounds, I think that music therapists can talk to parents about their children’s development with clinical rationale, while still knowing how to say it in a way that allows the parents to fully take in. We also have experience in observing children and being able to adapt what we are doing on the spot to give them what they need. I feel that through our education and this program we are taught the importance of building rapport and provide individualized services more than other music providers will.
ParticipantI am sorry, my last response wasn’t meant for this one.
5-words: busy, joyful, Cooperating, sharing, helping
Gathering: Hello Everybody. Instrumental play: Music in the way Movement Songs: I really gotta jump Song about me: Watch Me Go Goodbye: Thank you very much
Participant5-words: Supportive, emotions, creative, sharing, active
Gathering: Hello Everybody. Instrumental play: I like this song Movement Songs: The Leaves go down Bonding: Horsey, carry me Song about me/Cool down Just Like Me Goodbye: Thank you very much
Participant5 words: Exploration, curiosity, expressive, playful, movement
5 Sentences: Let your child feel free to try and out and explore their instruments how they want to! Your child can sit and watch us play, they are still taking in the experience with us all that way! Your child does not need to sit still, they can move around and explore! If you child isn’t quite ready to switch instruments that is okay! Please take these songs home with you to try together, in any way that you and your child want!
Hello/Gathering- Come on Everyone Instrumental Play- Can I hear you shake Movement Where is the music Bonding Song- Wiggly Jiggly Car Cool Down/Goodbye All of this is me
ParticipantWhen I was doing home visits and my bosses did not provide instruments I used primarily affordable instruments. I had small handheld instruments such as egg shakers, maracas, bells, tambourines, and castanets. I also invested in some hand drums. Now my boss provides instruments that we are able to take out and use. It is fairly similar to what I used, but at a much higher quality and access to more such as boom whackers, drums, handbells, chimes, and more.
October 30, 2022 at 1:06 pm
in reply to: Share some of your experiences with children of this age and level.
ParticipantI unfortunately have not been able to work with infants yet in music therapy. My youngest client was just turning 2, and the most fit primarily into the 3 to 8 age range. I have been able to adapt the songs and the skills here with some of my older children in sessions and they all get a lot out of what we do! It has aided in building rapport with newer clients to help with therapeutic goals in sessions in the long run!
ParticipantMusic therapy can be used to facilitate connections and bonding not only between caregivers and children but between families as well. Connecting families that are experiencing the same things or can relate to one another can aid families in finding a sense of community and support. Not only can kids connect and make friends, but the care givers can as well.
Participant5 words: Compassion, bonding, connections, exploration, support
5 Sentences: The most important voice your babies hear is your own, they want to hear you most! Listen out for your baby singing and cooing along to the music we make! Make sure to sing along so you can take home what we do here into the home!You baby is watching me play and sing right now, watch to see how engaged they are with the music. We are here to bond and connect with our babies.
Plan: 1. Gathering Song/Hello- Come on Everyone 2. Instrumental Exploration- In my little hand. 3. Bonding- Coming to get you 4. Movementl play wiggly jiggly car 5.Cooldown- just like me with sensory toys 6. Goodbye
October 22, 2022 at 6:59 pm
in reply to: What are the needs of the families and communities that you work with?
ParticipantWhen I was working at a facility doing home visits many families shared that they wanted a sense of community for their kids, especially older kids/young adults who were out of school. Feelings of isolation were common among the families that I worked with. With kids just getting back into in-person schooling a need for skills that aid them in engaging in lessons and interacting with other students also came up a lot. Parents would also reach out for guidance or vent with me while I was in their homes. The need for respite and support with the families seemed like a need as well. It has been harder to see this directly at my new position as I do not interact with many families directly and see students in school. Here, it does seem that the same things are needed though! Fostering community, support, and interaction are areas that are sought out here as well.
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