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This course has given me the confidence and push to start groups in my community! I am looking forward to becoming a Sprouting Melodies provider and staying connected in this unique and wonderful community of our own. It’s great knowing we will still have the support as we take those first steps! I plan on starting a group or two over the summer at a local library- starting small and taking it from there! The ideas and knowledge spread over into providing music therapy for my own groups and individuals in my everyday work. I am having a blast learning new songs and using them more and more! It makes me excited that there are more new ones on the way! I am so glad I took this training- thank you!!
March 27, 2018 at 5:22 pm
in reply to: How are you planning on sharing this information with colleagues, administrators and families?
ParticipantThere are a couple families that continue to ask if I’ll be starting a group at the library (and they have friends with small children!). I am grateful and hopeful knowing there is a need AND especially a want for families to be part of a music experience and probably not even realize just yet how their kids and they will benefit! So, like Stephanie mentioned, getting the word out is huge and having a good group of supporters. Cassie suggested handing out flyers to the parents and I feel like the combo of these two will be a good start!
Participant1. Like Caitin mentioned, having as much background information beforehand is important. I want to know prior to the first class what to expect and have some sort of picture in mind of based on the info I’ve given by families. Yes, you never really know until you interact, but this is important to me and how I plan.
2. Even if that plan does not work, definitely being able to adapt and be flexible in the moment!
3. The importance of having that open communication with parents and making sure they understand why we are doing what we’re doing and that they feel confident using our materials at home for the benefit of their child.
4. Along the lines of what Erin suggested about offering appropriate instruments and distributing them strategically, musical transitions can be useful in some groups to keep the music going and not lose the focus of the child. For example, when passing out or collecting instruments.
5. There is also making sure the room is set up appropriately, being aware and removing any safety hazards.
ParticipantI am most looking forward to building connections in my community with the families and their children. It makes me excited to be able to use my knowledge and all that I have gained from this course including lots of info on early childhood, music responses in early childhood, and using the new music I’ve learned to incorporate in classes. I look forward to challenging myself in making each class as beneficial and successful as I can, which may include sometimes putting me out of my comfort zone. But, I look forward to it becoming something I am proud to offer (thanks to you!) and learn every day as a music therapist in this environment.
March 22, 2018 at 2:01 pm
in reply to: Share how you can explain to parents the difference between music for development and music for skill building.
ParticipantI think of music for development as supporting the families and their children during these crucial, various stages through music. Grasping, bonding, vocalizing, may be certain examples. Skill building is mastering certain skills that are being worked on such as reading, writing, creating a steady beat. Both music for development and music for skill building are important and but I agree that we are focused on music for development with the main focus being on the child and their family and their growth each and every day.
ParticipantI think overall just making sure that the songs and way they are presented are engaging for all children. I may worry about finding a good balance, but knowing that we assess and continue to assess the needs of individuals and are flexible, again this what makes us unique! It is wonderful that Beth’s songbook is so adaptable and like Erika’s example, each song can fit the various developmental stages. I would also play off of the siblings and helpers of the group, making sure I’m still challenging the older kids and like Stephanie said, give them small jobs that focus on group cohesion, social interaction, and sense of independence.
March 19, 2018 at 9:31 am
in reply to: Use 5 words to describe the music experiences in Sprouting Melodies 3.
ParticipantSM3: proud, free, independent, growth, adventure
1. Greeting: “Shake Hands With Me ”
2. Bonding song: “In The Ring”
3. Song About Me: “Where is the Music”
4. Movement: “Jumping Up and Jumping Down”
5. Instrument Song: “It’s Your Turn”
6. Cool Down: familiar tune such as Itsy Bitsy Spider
7. Goodbye/ Thank youFamily Sprouts: togetherness, bond, helpers, development, unique
1. Greeting: “Hey! Hey! Come and Play ”
2. Bonding song: “I Like the Lick the Ice Cream”
3. Song About Me: “I Have a Space Around Me”
4. Movement: “I Feel the Beat”
5. Instrument Song: “All Night! All Day!”
6. Cool Down: sing familiar tune such as “Twinkle, Twinkle”
7. Goodbye/ Thank youMarch 12, 2018 at 10:37 am
in reply to: Use 5 words to describe the music experiences in Sprouting Melodies 2.
Participant5 Words: active, discover, open, natural, breath
5 Sentences:
1. Notice that we often sing in higher pitches because that is what children prefer. Remember this when you sing to your child at home!
2. Watch as your child begins to imitate certain movements, especially rocking or marching to the music!
3. It is totally okay for your child to be exploring around the room! They are learning about their environment!
4. Listen to your child’s vocalizations— they are experimenting with pitch!
5. Look for any sort of vocalization, response or anticipation of movement during the intentional silence! They are engaged and responding to the music!Session Plan:
I ordered the “You and Me Makes We” song book and was so excited to get it in the mail this week!Hello/Gathering: Good Morning
Bonding: Row It Faster
Song About Me: All of This is Me
Instrument: All Night! All Day!
Movement: Can You Follow?
Cool Down: Listen to the Music We Make
Goodbye: Music Time is Over and Thank YouParticipantI feel that as we do try to find that “happy medium” as Haley mentioned, we have to first get to the point where we realize maybe it is too much and back off a little. Otherwise, I feel that maybe there is not enough stimulation. It’s tricky! As Cassie said, I too think that because we do work so much in the moment and can be flexible, it is part of what makes us unique. Maybe we try to sing a bit softer or change the way we are playing an instrument. We can do our best to observe children and get to know their reactions to songs, timbre, instruments, as a whole etc. But, we can also let parents know that as we may have our attention on a moment with another child, for example, they too can be mindful to some of the signs of too much stimulation such as irritation or certain facial expressions. As we create and experiment, the parents are learning more about their child, as are we.
ParticipantLike many of you have mentioned, I use small maracas, bells, scarves, puppets, frame drums, and books. I do not know the brand of some—I was very lucky to be given some instruments from my internship!
March 1, 2018 at 1:22 pm
in reply to: Share some of your experiences with children of this age and level.
ParticipantI don’t have experience working with this age group, but learning more about what we can bring as music therapists to families, I am excited to hopefully work with this age soon! Also, not being a parent yet, I am taking in all of the info that you parents have been putting out there as well as seeing new mothers and babies within my family, and hopefully would be able to bring all of those describing words we listed and knowledge to the group!
March 1, 2018 at 1:20 pm
in reply to: Share your thoughts with the board members on the role of music therapy in community based settings.
ParticipantI think about community music therapy starting with the individual, but this connects to family, small groups, larger groups and into the community. Within the spouting melodies context and the development of the child, they explore and grow within sessions and this connects within their families, eventually school and their environment.
I also think about this, as Haley mentioned, for example, being a drum circle. It could be a group of teens with low self-esteem that through support and working together put on a small performance. It may be adults with mild intellectual disabilities learning to play and be part of a bell choir. Whatever the overall goal may be, community music therapy provides a supportive and safe environment to help the needs of a group through music. Like others have mentioned, the BOND and CONNECTION that are happening within sessions naturally form and communities come together.
February 26, 2018 at 8:40 pm
in reply to: Use 5 words to describe the music experiences in Sprouting Melodies 1.
Participant5 Words:
peaceful, connection, playful, special, welcoming5 Sentences:
1.Your child is learning to hear and prefers higher pitched voices and instruments.
2.Your baby recognizes and prefers the quality of your voice, so I invite you to please sing along so that you are able to learn and sing to your child at home!
3.Notice how there may have been a difference in your child’s response from a play song to a lullaby.
4.Listen to your child’s vocalizations as they are even able to match pitch as they become more aware of their environment.
5.We choose our instruments wisely, such as this maraca, because it is appropriate sensory stimulation.Session Plan:
Hello/ Gathering- Good Morning
Body Percussion: keeping a steady beat on baby to a familiar tune
Bonding Song: Row it Faster
Instrument Play: In My Little Hand
Movement: As Big As Can Be
Cool Down: All of This is Me
Goodbye/BreathingHaley, I too think of it as an “arc.” How important to bring the energy level back down.
February 20, 2018 at 10:48 pm
in reply to: What value do music therapists bring to families of young children?
ParticipantWe have so much value as music therapists! We are highly trained in music, therapy, and music therapy. We tailor each session to meet individual needs and make sure each person is included, supported, and/or challenged. Music is naturally motivating, so we can have fun while working on those non musical goals. Again, I think the “why” is so important and this is what separates us —why we choose certain songs, why we play a specific way, why we communicate with parents, etc. We improvise, we provide structure. We sing, we play instruments. We use visual aids, we use sign language. We continue our education and make sure that we keep learning and using new ideas to connect with others.
ParticipantI feel like I was reading about myself, Caitlin, when you were listing the various settings in which you work! I can relate!
The more I find work closer to home, the more I realize that parents are just wanting a good, fun music class so their children can have that social interaction and make new friends. It may be that simple and some may want more out of a class. I feel lucky because I am from a small community where there really aren’t many, if any, opportunities like the ones we can provide. So, it is hopeful knowing what positive experiences we can bring to families and hopefully having them recognize that we can do a lot more than a “fun music class.”
I agree, Haley, in that all of the families I work with are very dedicated and are just wanting to do anything and everything to help their child.
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