[Jasmine Lo]

I am happy to take this course, and it has been so helpful with my current work with children. By learning all the different developmental stages, it gives me a better insight on what is appropriate to a child at his/her level, and understanding each one of them is going through their own growing journey. I am excited that I am able to join into part of their journey.

I also find that I have a better understanding with the use of different musical elements with all the songs that have been introduced in the class. During my music therapy internship, I found that most clients may not be aware how music work for them, and even sometimes I brought in this big question mark into the therapy room throughout my learning journey, and sing the songs that clients requested. The way of explaining the songs and musical elements demonstrated throughout the classes has been so clear, and I find that they are really useful in helping my clients to know what is happening within the therapeutic process.

The idea of building a community programme also gives me support and idea of catering the needs of my community, where music therapy is relatively new to the society, the community programme can definitely advocate music therapy and benefit young families.

I will definitely recommend this course to people who are interested in early childhood development anf music, since I have learned and got inspired from this ten-week- programme. Thank you!

[Jasmine Lo]

I think there are 3 elements in bringing success to each child in the music therapy group, and they are relationship, nurturing environment, and playfulness.

Relationship:
Within the session, it is important to build rapport with the child as most people have mentioned in their replies. When the therapist is able to build trust with the child, they are able to express themselves. Besides relationship with the children in the group, the relationships between family members are equally important, that they can learn from the positive relationship. As in the group setting, I find it hard to give everyone the same amount of attention, but that is also an important part of showing people that you care and willing to support them.

Nurturing environment:
I find a safe environment is crucial for catering developmental goals as young children may not have the ability to get themselves away from potential dangers. A safe space can help to nurture growth and expressions within the music therapy group context. Also, appropriate interventions can help to promote a safe environment for children to explore and to meet their developmental goals.

Playfulness:
Being a music therapist is about being playful with the children and their families, that they can be able to enjoy the music making time and coming up with different creative solutions in responding to different circumstances. I also find taking a balance between being professional and playful is important for the success that we can show the community about music therapy how it can bring benefits.

[Jasmine Lo]

I think the most valuable takeaway from this course for me is building a community based programme to support young families and infants. The area where I am currently living does not have enough social support to young families, especially promoting connections within family, and between families. Music is definitely a wonderful way to support and build connections for different family needs.

Originally I came to this class because I feel inadequate in supporting children, and by the end of the class, I find the classes has been widened my lens on supporting the family and community as well. This community-based model can raise awareness to the public on how adequate early childhood development support can contribute to a healthy growth to the children, and to the whole community.

[Jasmine Lo]

5 words: connection, warmth, cooperation, support, transformative

Plan:
Gathering song: Hey everybody come and join in the circle
Songs about me: All of this is me
Bonding Song: Hold on tight
Instrument Song: Dancing in the middle
Movement: I can move around
Goodbye: Music time is over

[Jasmine Lo]

5 words: active, emotion, strong, creative, accepting

Plan:
Hello Song: Gather Round
Songs about me: Where is the music
Bonding song: “A froggy went to swimming
Movement Song: marching and moving song
Instrument: You play a little and I play a little
Good bye song: Music time is over

[Jasmine Lo]

I think the major difference between a music therapy group and a group music class is that music therapy group is designed to cater children’s developmental goals such as physical, cognitive, social, emotional, etc, as well as family goals through music making. Music therapy groups are able to offer a free and flexible space for children to explore and meet their goals, meanwhile a group music class is more about learning some musical skills such as playing instruments, singing, and music theory.

[Jasmine Lo]

I find it difficult when I have to cater for different developmental goals when having a mixed group of children, that bringing a successful experience for both older and younger kids is an important goal for the whole programme. Children in different age group might have different preferences with music, and the capability of doing different movements and tasks. I think the biggest consideration is how we can integrate the group and bring the community together. Besides the challenge, it is also an opportunity for kids learning to take turns and to take care of the others (especially for the older kids to take care of the younger ones), which is also helpful for kids to develop their social skills on how they treat others, handle conflicts with guidance, and communicate with each other.

[Jasmine Lo]

I think it’s about watching non-verbal signs when a child is over-stimulated. When the child looks tired and overwhelmed, or showing distress with the environment, can help to evaluate whether the stimulation is too much for the child. It is also important to observe whether the child is highly sensitive, not sensitive at all, or sensitivity seeking, and it can help with the session planning. I also find that the welcoming environment is important when it comes to a group setting, that when a child finds the stimulation is too much, they can also have a space to take a break before they are ready again.

[Jasmine Lo]

5 words: adventure, playful, inviting, exciting, openness

5 sentences to parents:
-“Sprouting Melodies 2 is a class that your child can freely explore with the music and the environment.”
-“It is okay when your child need to take a rest on their own, and they will come back when they are ready.”
-“Your child is starting to develop their own identity at this stage, and through different explorations with singing, playing instruments, and movements, they are able to grow.”
-“It will be helpful if you hold your babies’ feet to stomp, in organizing their body movement.”
-“It is okay when the child want to have a touch on my guitar, and to explore the sound of it.”

Session Plan:
Hello and gathering song: Hello Everybody
Movement Song: Pick Your Hands up high
Songs about me: All of these about me
Movement: Where is the music
Instrument: Dancing in the middle
Goodbye song: “Thank you very much”

[Jasmine Lo]

I use a large variety of instruments depending on whether the site can provide me, or in some sites, I will bring my own instruments. Instruments that I usually use are djembe and hand drum, and I recommend Remo. I also used shaker eggs and shakers from different range of timbre and dynamic, depending on the clinical goal and setting. One time I used rainbow bells (Suzuki) and separate chimes (not sure with the brand as I borrowed it), and boomwhackers(with older kids) . As a voice student, I think the singing voice and body percussion are nice and natural instruments that we can use as well!

[Jasmine Lo]

I think sometimes it’s hard to draw the line between music therapy and community music when therapists facilitating a community model, but it can also take away the stigma of “therapy” that music can in fact be beneficial to a wider population. This community music therapy model can bring people together through positive experiences with music, peers, and therapists. It can also raise self-awareness and resources to appropriate assistance when parents and their children need them.
From my own experiences of hearing tough and heartbreaking cases of therapy to at-risk children and youth in my society, sometimes it is not enough to just work with them in a clinical setting, but also how the community can give enough support and compassion towards those vulnerable youths. I think the community model it’s not just about for the “customers” to join the class, but also to educate the wider community on music therapy, as well as how we can create a more compassionate society to vulnerable people.

[Jasmine Lo]

I have not worked with babies at this stage of life, and the youngest that I have met and taught early music are at the age of 3. They are more capable developmentally, but I can also see that how good structures can contribute to develop awareness and trust in the music. I usually sing, move and play instruments with them, and some of the children I have met will express their ideas based on the songs we have sung in the session. They can also notice and voice out the differences in music. The instruments I have used are the ones with easy grasps. I also use colours and stickers to help them when playing instruments.

[Jasmine Lo]

5 words: soothing, calming, warm, accepting, and connecting

5 sentences:
-“Sprouting melodies is a time for you and your baby to connect through music.”
-“Bonding with your babies can facilitate their development to healthy relationships with the others and their surroundings.”
-“It’s ok when your child needs to take some rest or crawl around during the session, you can learn the songs and offer it to your child at home.”
-“In Sprouting melodies, we will sing, move, and play some instruments. Your child can imitate some movements and facial expressions with their own pace, and you may observe their reactions during the music time.”
-“At this stage of development, babies can grasp the instrument when offer it with the handle to his palm, they can explore the instrument with different senses.

Sprouting Melodies 1 Plan
Arrival/waiting/ checking in time — soft background music to set up the atmosphere
-Gathering Hello Song “Good Morning” (singing names of the babies to welcome the families in the group)
-Bonding song “I am coming to Catcha”(with parents holding their baby swaying, or doing simple movements)
-Transition song (passing out instruments, and anticipating babies and their families what to do next)
-Instrument song “maracas song” (experiencing music with instruments)
-Movement song “In my little hand” (with simple movements)
-Goodbye song (calming and reflective, setting up an ending to the session)

[Jasmine Lo]

I am living in Hong Kong right now, and I can see that the biggest need in my city is space, the space that is safe for people to rest, and to freely explore themselves. People are always busy and competitive in Hong Kong, and people tend to want their children to be more superior than the others, also as a part of the Chinese culture that parents often have high expectations for their children. Within the hustle and bustle, there is no space to feel, and more importantly, to be who they are. I think music therapy services can definitely giving families and individuals a safe space to be themselves when parents can better understand themselves and their children more.

Also, I find social services and support is inadequate to people who are vulnerable in my community, as well as misunderstandings and labelling towards people who seek counselling and therapy services. Although it takes a greater community effort in changing policies and educating people, it is important to advocate continuously as a helping professional and a music therapist.

[Jasmine Lo]

Music therapy is a valuable support to young families. It is stressful for young parents/ first time parents to take care of their children, as well as adapting to the changes in the family. The music therapy experiences can then support parents’ emotional needs, and also how they can best support their children’s development process with trained professionals. Music can also make meaningful connections between the parent-child relationship, helping both the parents and children to grow at the same time.

I also find that music therapy groups can create peer support in the community, letting parents know that they are not alone in their journey!

[Author]

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