[Diandra Doble]

I love that you mentioned using what you learned in this training with your mixed-age groups. This information doesn’t only correlate to ages 0-5, it can be helpful with children and individuals of older ages as well!

[Diandra Doble]

This training has taught me not only that development is development, but MUSIC development is development. Children can learn and grow so much developmentally through music. I have taken in so much knowledge about how each stage of development works and I will continue to use this knowledge to my advantage in providing the best care possible using music. I feel that I have a better toolbox to work with now in order to advocate and educate to those around me, including parents, caregivers, educators, etc. These children deserve this advocation as they explore and develop through time. Giving children the space to explore their surroundings is so important. There is no right or wrong way to be in music. They just have to be. That is one big lesson I am taking away from this training. Letting the children just be in the music is key. I will not only share my knowledge with parents and caregivers, but also my colleagues and acquaintances in my life.

[Diandra Doble]

I ensure to use clear, concise and consistent language with these children. I always give them opportunities for leadership. Whether it be asking a rhetorical question to get them engaged or letting them choose what we do next, I think it is important to give them the reigns and let them make decisions in the music-making space. I praise them when they engage but also let them engage and grow at their own pace, because every child is different. I ensure as well, like Meredith and Elizabeth said, that the children I work with have access to that language in order to communicate when they are “all done.” Providing them with this gesture gives them a way to let the music therapist know that “I am all done with this,” instead of them throwing instruments because they do not have that communication skill.

[Diandra Doble]

I agree with you Holly on the aspect of these experiences and interactions giving us more confidence as we continue our work. The more we practice and utilize these tools, the more we grow as clinicians!

[Diandra Doble]

I am excited to advocate and educate for the children in my groups. Whether it be with parents or staff members, helping them to understand these children more will be something I will take with me and continue to do in my work. To assure that each child is successful, I will give them leadership opportunities. I will always give them the space to make a choice. I will always praise them for their engagement and encourage engagement and advocate for when they “aren’t engaging.” If they are just observing, that is engagement! I am excited to watch these children grow through their development and see what they can achieve through music.

[Diandra Doble]

Along those same lines, music learning based programs more teach and work on music skills. The goal of Sprouting Melodies is to promote developmental growth and is led by a music therapist who has this wealth of knowledge about how this development works.

[Diandra Doble]

I agree that they covered key challenges in the video. I liked when Elizabeth said something along the lines of it is a challenge to try and find movements that everyone can participate in that can satisfy but not alienate any certain age groups. You don’t want any child being bored but you also don’t want them to be overwhelmed because they can’t do the action you’re facilitating and prompting them to do, for example. I think what is important to remember is keeping the repetition of music for the younger children, but also making sure to incorporate those opportunities for creativity for the older children.

[Diandra Doble]

Support, helping, individuality, connections, busy

Come and Join The Circle, Hey Everybody, Row It Faster, All Of This Is Me, Dancing In The Middle, I Can Move Around, It’s Time To Say Goodbye

[Diandra Doble]

Active, personality, creative, accepting, intentional

Sit Down With Me, Hello Everybody, Swimming Together, You Play A Little, Jumping Up and Jumping Down, Time To Go

[Diandra Doble]

I have learned through my experience so far to have backup songs and interventions just in case something I facilitate doesn’t go as planned! Very good point that in music therapy, we can be spontaneous and flexible when necessary.

[Diandra Doble]

I am not currently using instruments because of the strict rules in place at the site I do work at right now due to COVID. When I did use instruments, I used a frame drum, ocean drum, scarves and different colored maracas. Right now, I encourage the children in the group to find something in the classroom to use as an instrument to make music.

[Diandra Doble]

It definitely depends on the child. From my experience, I have noticed at times that my children were most likely understimulated when they began to leave the circle and go find their toys that they were playing with earlier. I have noticed overstimulation when I facilitate too many different movements in a short period of time because I did not give their brains enough time to process each one. In general, I tried too many right off the bat and I should have used more repetition at the start. That was a learning experience for me at the beginning stages of my clinical work.

[Diandra Doble]

Exploration, surprise, spontaneous, timbre variety, observation….also wanted to add in authenticity. That word jumped out to me when they said it in the video.

Children love surprises that they know are coming (anticipated surprises)!
Children’s brains are processing on the inside in those moments when they are sitting and staring on the outside! Their brain is just processing what is happening.
Keeping and holding your child close is great, but also letting them go is just as important. They’re not rejecting you (parent), they are developing their own identity. Also make sure to provide that feeling of “coming back” for your child once they venture off and explore so that way they feel that they can come back to you.
When your child is on your lap, positioning your arms and hands around and underneath the child’s shoulders is vital so that way when you clap, they can join in with your clapping movement if they are holding on tight to your hand or whatever it be.
The bottom of your child’s feet is a great way for them to take in information and can help them process. It helps them to organize their body through the rhythmic movement by using the bottom of their feet to stomp, for example.

Hey! Hey! Come and Play!, Hello, Hold On Tight, Can You See Me?, In My Little Hand, March With My Baby, Music Time Is Over

[Diandra Doble]

I have observed very similar things when I observed! I look forward to being able to observe more hopefully in the near future. I love how much support and praise is given in that space. They create a great space for the children to explore and create!

[Diandra Doble]

Bonding, gentle, calm affect, joy, swaying

1. Tell the parents that the timbre of their voice is very important for their baby!
2. That space between your and your baby (12-18 inches) is important for bonding, leaning in and making sure that you are close enough that they can see you!
3. When using a scarf, do movements slowly so the baby can keep up and follow along with you.
4. Body percussion and singing are done more quietly because it is more about the movement and the gesture, not as much for the sound!
5. Babies respond well to those glissandos and higher pitched sounds in a music experience.

Gather Round, Hello TBD, I Can Make Some Music, Wiggly Jiggly Car, In My Little Hand, As Big As Can Be, GB

[Author]

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