[Hannah Floyd]

One of the biggest takeaways from this course is how I can actively communicate not only to children, but to the parents also. Also how to have them take notice of musical development, and the way to explore this through music. Through these new songs and approaches, I am excited to move forward and a new MT-BC.

[Hannah Floyd]

Some of my first thoughts was singing “all done” to communicate with clients. Along with that, how to make sure all ages in a group feel included and engaged. Along with this but how the parent’s can be your greatest supports by knowing their child’s comforts.

[Hannah Floyd]

For me, the most exciting thing is that I learned is a new way of communicating and bonding with my clients and their parents. I am a new music therapist. I haven’t had alot of experience as a professional, and one of the things I felt like I needed to improve upon is recognizing stages of a child’s development, along with communicating that to the parent. Not only that, I feel like I have gained a new way of bonding with my clients.

[Hannah Floyd]

Words: Activity, Personality, Accepting, Creativity, Emotions

PLAN: GREETING: Sing “Sit Down With Me”. Have the children interact with each other and their parents to follow varying different actions. SONGS ABOUT ME: While singing the song “I’m Glad You’re Here Today” having each child and adult say how they are feeling today. BONDING: Have the children move to their parents and sing the song “Hold On Tight”. Have them interact in fun play. INSTRUMENTS: Place 2 gathering drums in the middle of the circle and have the children and adults take turns going forth to play them. Use the song “You Play Alittle”. MOVEMENT: Sing Jumping Up and Down to have children jump and do specific movements. GOODBYE: Sing goodbye.

[Hannah Floyd]

Words: Sharing, Helping, Connection, Support, Active

PLAN: GATHERING: Before starting the hello song, I would have the room have different instruments that the children can explore. Then, once it was time for the hello song, I would have them join in a circle, singing hello and welcoming every kid by name. BONDING: Sing Jiggle Up, Jiggle Down, having the children interact with eachother along with their parents. SONGS ABOUT ME: Using the song All Of Me, encourage children to point to body parts, themselves, and other children throughout the song. INSTRUMENTS: Have children choose instruments to play during the song Music the Way. MOVEMENT: Have the kids march around and sing the song “Can You Follow Me”.
GOODBYE: Sing goodbye to the group members.

[Hannah Floyd]

Multi-Age Grouping can be challenging as each child could be in a very different place developmentally. Some might find it engaging, while others may loose interest. A way to work around this is to make experiences be open to different levels, or to allow children to are further along to have more responsibilities (like, asking what move we should do next, etc). It’s important to find the balance in everything.

[Hannah Floyd]

Sprouting Melodies allows you, the music therapist, to actively participate in the development of a child in a safe, engaging manner. Through it we can find ways to reach goals and objects for not only the client, but the group as a whole. It allows children a way to move forward developmentally without being intimidating or overwhelming. We are trained to recognize the little moments along with the big milestones.

[Hannah Floyd]

5 Words- Energizing, Observation, Playful, Curious, Silly

Sentences: Don’t worry if your child wants to move around to look at others or to explore the room. Even if they seem like they are not participating through doing the action, they are learning as much just from watching. The way they are interacting with you through laughter is great. It’s great to see how your child is moving close to the beat.

Plan: HELLO/GATHERING: Sing hello, inviting the children to join the circle. When their name is called, parent will give the child a light squeeze letting them know that they are being acknowledged. BONDING: Moving the child to the parent’s lap, MT will sing Hold On Tight as the parents bounce their legs. INSTRUMENTS: Have children choose instruments they are interested in and explore them. Then, when they choose one, have them return to the middle of the circle where a gathering drum will be. Begin singing Dancing in the Middle, allowing the child to play the drum with their hand or the instrument they have chosen. SONGS ABOUT ME/BODY PERCUSSION: Begin singing “Can You See Me” and have the children stand and point to different body parts. MOVEMENT: Sing “March With My Baby, having them change the movements (Jump, Stomp, Clap, etc). GOODBYE: Have everyone come back to the circle, sit in the laps of their parents, and sing goodbye.

[Hannah Floyd]

I am very thankful that at my work we have many instruments. Some of these are egg shakers, Remo drums, hand bells, triangles, finger cymbals, lollipop drums, small tambourines, mascaras, Suzuki xylophones and frame drums. These are the ones that come to mind.

[Hannah Floyd]

It all depends on the child. Some need more, some need less. It is important for us to watch their reactions and cues. We always have to be prepared to be flexible and change if a child is showing signs of agitation or discomfort. Not only that but our own energy can affect a child, not just the music. It’s important to recognize that.

[Hannah Floyd]

Experience: Exploratory, Soothing, Gentle, Bonding, Engaging

Responsiveness: It’s great that they turned to acknowledge me during the greeting song. They are watching you as you play the instrument too! When you play, I notice they are swaying with you. I think it’s wonderful that they reached towards you and smiled. The babbling your child made during the song is so nice to hear.

Plan: First introduce myself to the children and caregivers and bring them into the room where the session would be occurring. I would allow them to explore the space, finding spots that made them feel the most comfortable and safe. I would have the caregivers sit with the children in their laps. During this I would have instrumental calm music playing, having it at around half volume so it is not too overwhelming. Hello Song: Sing a simple, soft melody, and encourage the caregivers to lightly sway with their child. When the child’s name is called, I would encourage the caregiver to give the child a gentle touch or squeeze. Body Percussion: While I sing Just Like Me, Parents will lightly tap the backs of the child, then gradually move to different body parts (nose, ears, etc). Bonding: Have the child sway back and forth with their parent, adjusting tempos from slow, to faster, then back to slow. Instrument Play: Be sure that the instruments are appropriate for this age. Some of these I think of are maracas, finger symbols, and some drums. Sing in my In My Little Hand, shaking or playing the instruments on different body parts. Movement: Sing As Big As Can Be, moving the children onto different levels. Moving their bodies on these levels also. Cool Down: While singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, sing through it in a gentle tone. While singing it normally one time through, then switch to a vowel sound. Goodbye: Have clients hold child and gently sway as you end the session.

[Hannah Floyd]

Community Based MT creates a space for families, children, and others to create music in a safe space. Through this teamwork, clinical goals can be reached in a less intimidating environment. It also allows the parents to be able to explore these instruments with their children also. This promotes growth with the child, and also the bond between the child and their parent.

[Hannah Floyd]

I currently do not have any experience really working with children in this age level. For the children I do see, like Emily I use greeting/hello songs, goodbye songs, and movement songs. One thing I like to do is an I Spy song, where the kids have to go find something in the room that matches (I Spy with my little eye something that is red). And I always do a relaxation with gentle music before the goodbye song.

[Hannah Floyd]

I work at The Music Settlement along with Anne, and she pointed out many good points. For me, I see a diverse group. But at this moment I have noticed that many of the children that I see there is a need for emotional regulation and healthy coping skills after the past two years of covid. Along with this, many of the children are behaviorally acting younger than they are, due to that lack of secure of not being physically in schools or having those social interaction. This can lead to extreme stress, not only for the child, but also for the adults around them.

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[Hannah Floyd]

As music therapists we have obtained a board certification, doing to school for years to gain information on how to observe, support, and cause slow changes through the use of music. For me, I try to talk to all my individual client’s parents and keep up the communication of what is going on with their child. Whether it be my 3 year old client, letting the mother know his steps of development, or another client where the family has had a trauma response at the loss of the father of the family. Through music I try to create a safe space for my client to grieve, process, and create healthy coping skills. Music is a safe space, where even if the words aren’t used expression can occur

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