[Cynthia Cross]

Right now my mind is over-flowing with ideas…I am going to make connections locally with daycare providers and teachers to start. I am joining a new Arts Collaborative in my community and planning on participating in presentations and community events through that organization. At my current job I will continue to educate but more directly than I have recently – by giving staff more specific directions with explanations about the developmental reasons for my choices. I would also like to do some inservices at my job to the same purpose. I have developed a website, facebook page and am working on written materials for distribution as we speak. I think an online presence is very important in this day and age.

[Cynthia Cross]

I am so excited to get started! I am officially starting my private practice in September and looking forward to making Sprouting Melodies a part of that practice. After 10 years of commuting I am setting up shop in my local community (5 minutes from my house) and providing services that are either not available or in limited availability.

In my current part-time job I have already applied some of the developmentally appropriate practices taught in these videos and experienced encouraging success! It has been awesome to get this perspective and get a boost to what I have been doing. I expect to continue with this job through this school year so I am looking forward to applying these principles there as well.

[Cynthia Cross]

I am most excited about becoming a community leader by providing SM classes! I am fortunate in that my little community is just starting an Arts Collaborative initiative and I think Music Therapy and SM will be a great place for me to participate. As we have gone through the course I have seen how this particular segment of music therapy will be exciting for me. I love the idea of providing education about developmentally appropriate music/activity and also having the opportunity to encourage and reassure parents and caregivers in their roles.

[Cynthia Cross]

I like to start with myself when a child is not engaging as expected: am I supplying developmentally appropriate material, am I providing enough variety or too much variety, what am I presenting to the child/parent as far as my energy level, enthusiasm, facial expressions. I also like the reminder to communicate with the parents (or in my current job with classroom staff). I have a tendency to think they should just know what I expect after all these years and I could definitely improve my explanations and instructions to the adults in the room. Also important to keep in mind are the differences between children and reassuring that unexpected behaviors are a part of that difference.
I also would want to take into consideration the caregivers style of redirecting the child. I can see how this could get tricky between families so it would be important to be proactive as the provider and create realistic boundaries and expectations for the groups.
With a child that remains disengaged I think it will be important to have a more in depth discussion with the caregiver. This is an area I might have to develop in myself!

[Cynthia Cross]

Sprouting melodies 3: Active, strong personality, acceptance, emotions, intentional
Greeting: Sit Down with Me
Bonding: My Brand New Friend
Songs about Me: Where Is the Music (love that this also addresses concerns caregivers might have about making music themselves!)
Song with a book
Instruments: Shake and Stop
Movement: Put Your Little Foot, Stand up and Sing
Good-bye: Thank you for Coming

Family Sprouts: Sharing, cooperative, supportive, busy, joyful

Greeting: Hello, Hello (uses names)
Bonding: Hold on Tight (great to share movement with older/younger kids)
Songs about Me: All of this Is Me, maybe The Story of My Feelings by Laurie Berkner
Instruments: I Like This Song, Shake It Baby
Movement: I Can Move around, Listen and Move (Greg and Steve)
Good-bye: We’ll Sing Good-bye

[Cynthia Cross]

I think music for development includes using music that matches and supports a certain level of development. For example for little ones approaching independence music for development might create an atmosphere in which they can comfortably explore separation from their caregiver. Music for skill building speaks more to a targeted intervention to me. For example utilizing an active rhythm to encourage jumping or using a counting song to teach numbers an sequence.

[Cynthia Cross]

A big challenge would be to stay aware of the varying needs of the children in any particular group. I can see how the little ones might get overshadowed by the abilities and energy of the older kids. Keeping that balance seems important so all ages get to participate in an area of strength. To a lesser degree I think instrument selection and use could be a challenge – keeping instruments being used ‘safely’ around babies could be an issue with the excitement generated by an older sibling. As Corie mentioned I also think parental comparison might be a challenge that presents itself along with possibly more opportunity for parents to compare their children with others.

I think having a plan the allows for several different musical flows is paramount to being able to address these potential challenges. This is truly one of our strengths as Music Therapists! Not having to stick to a specific script but being able to adjust as the need arises should definitely assist in moderating any issues that arise.

[Cynthia Cross]

Quick question: what software or program do you use to notate your original songs? I have been doing it the old fashioned way with manuscript paper but now that I’m writing more songs I’d like to upgrade! Thanks!

[Cynthia Cross]

5 words:
playfulness, variety, surprise, energy, exploration

5 sentences:
It doesn’t matter what they shake or how many they shake!
It’s not about playing ‘high or low’ but about making musical choices or watching others do it.
They need to be able to explore and be able to come back.
Value the play – it is the work of children.
Let the babies move!

Session:

Hello – maybe an energized version of the SM1 hello song

Greeting – name song

Bonding – I love Wiggly Jiggly Car! Maybe a song about playing/having fun

Songs about Me – I still like Just Like Me for this group, and it would be familiar from SM1

Instruments – a shaker song and a drum song

Movement – Put Your Little Foot, like the Marching song, Colors are Moving (with scarves)

Good-bye – We’ll Sing Good-bye (this is slightly adapted from Kids Can Listen, Kids Can Move)

I also like the idea of a thank you song

[Cynthia Cross]

I love Corie’s point about the spot assessing we do as music therapists. I think my instinct would be to have a lower energy level in the first couple classes of this level, perhaps introducing some mild musical surprises; then building and using more and more variety as the sessions progressed. I also appreciated the idea that we, as therapists and leaders of the group, need to be comfortable and natural with our playfulness. It can be easy to lose touch with that ability for many reasons and I think being aware of that will assist in regulating the energy level in the sessions.

[Cynthia Cross]

I too get most of my instruments from West Music. At my school I have a large variety of rhythm instruments and drums. For the younger kids (2.5-6 years) I use a LOT of shakers – they seem to be the most popular with the kids. I try to use as many one-handed instruments as possible (shakers, tambourines, hand castanets, jingle bells) or drums without mallets. I find the adults in the room – mainly staff – get really stressed out about children playing ‘properly’ when 2 hands or a mallet is required. I also have boomwhackers, ocean drums, a variety of frame drums, hand bells, desk bells. I can’t wait to purchase my own instruments!

[Cynthia Cross]

5 Words: Flowing, rocking, connection, calm, restful

5 sentences:
Your child wants to hear your voice
Look into your child’s eyes and smile while you say hello
It’s okay if your child fusses!
Your child may be more comfortable in a different position
Take time to be aware of your child’s response

Session ideas:
Hello song – I like your simple hello song, I’d like to write something of my own to use

Gathering song – I might try The More We Get Together

Bonding song – Row It Faster (love this idea!)

Songs about Me – Hide and Seek with scarves
Just Like Me

Instrument song – I think I would adapt a shaking song here (Shake It Baby)

Movement song – Put Your Little Foot w/ adapted lyrics

Good-bye – We’ll Sing Good-Bye

[Cynthia Cross]

Agreed Emily! I am very excited about the idea of music therapy as a wellness tool. When I think about how much I paid for a gym membership, a yoga class, or a massage I realize that wellness is an untapped area for me as a therapist. I think we have so much to contribute. Primary for me is that music provides a place where absolutely anyone can participate. Through this participation the goals they can achieve so many: bonding with your child, leisure skills, self-confidence, social interaction, independence…

I am looking forward to promoting wellness in my community through Music Therapy!

[Cynthia Cross]

I absolutely love the idea of helping new parents with the stress of having a baby! I have never worked with infants as a music therapist but I did have 2 boys less than 2 years apart. I still remember much of the stress and especially feeling inadequate when I couldn’t do something with the baby. My observation is that really no one is quite prepared to have a baby – regardless of the experience! Having that little one 24/7 and completely dependent on you takes baby care to a whole different level. I can definitely see where a group such as Sprouting Melodies would benefit all.

I will share a couple infant stories from my experience…my oldest did not sleep through the night until 9 months. One of my best memories is of my husband holding him on his chest, after I had nursed in the middle of the night, and humming the lullaby song. Sometimes that was the only way Michael would quiet. Even though my husband was a little out of tune it soothed both the baby and me so we could all grab a little sleep.

Another story that speaks to the stress of having an infant…when my second son was about 3 months old I put him in his car seat on our table for a second. The next thing I knew the seat shifted and he went flying onto the floor face first. I was so freaked out I couldn’t even call the doctor – my hubby had to do it for me. He was completely fine but when accidents happen to your baby the natural instinct is to blame yourself. I think so many parents experience these types of moments and I feel good about being able to offer some relief and support for them!

[Cynthia Cross]

I am not yet working within the community but I have lived here since my children were little. I think this is a community that wants to be as involved as possible with their children. I probably have a mix of families where both parents work and then those with a stay-at-home parent. I have also seen a couple programs pop up for the unwed mother type of population – even one for mothers and children fighting addiction. I think using music therapy in these contexts would be very beneficial. In my immediate area I think I would more likely see the young mother scenario. I absolutely love the idea of learning to play with children. My kids are young adults now but I remember feeling like I had to provide everything for them and seldom did anyone say I needed to just stop and play with them. As a SM provider I can definitely see that being a big bonus for families.

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