Forum Replies Created
-
AuthorPosts
-
August 26, 2019 at 6:18 pm
in reply to: How are you planning on sharing this information with colleagues, administrators and families?
ParticipantI have been sharing this information with my fellow colleagues! I have some music therapy friends who are very interested in working with children or are currently working with children and I recommended this course for their continuing education credits. I briefly explained the structure of the course, what I’ve learned so far, and how this course expanded my overall knowledge.
@ElizabethG Congrats!! This sounds like an amazing opportunity.
@Kristin It takes a lot of courage network so good for you! I find it makes me nervous sometimes to introduce myself to new people but your story sounds encouraging. I agree that networking is very important especially when you move to a new area. I wish I had done more networking even as a student.
ParticipantI have a greater knowledge of early childhood development because of this course! I worked with children during my internship and wish I knew then what I know now. I am not practicing right now but I will certainly use what I’ve learned when working with the children and their parents in the future. I have also come to new awarenesses about myself as a new music therapist and that this information can apply to other populations as well.
ParticipantTo assure every child is successful in the group you have to set the group up for success. You have to choose age appropriate music and instruments, make sure you are observing every one in the group and not just the most active participants, and making sure every one has an opportunity to make music so that may require adaptations such as moving at a slower pace.
@ElizabethG I completely agree! When I am prepared for a session I can focus more on the clients and a lot less on what I am doing. I too am a procrastinator so I have to remind myself that preparing now will make my life so much easier later.
@Melissa I agree that adaptations are the key to success! Especially in a group with a wide age rangeParticipantI am looking forward to utilizing the information I’ve learned! I can communicate better with parents about what their child is doing in the sessions and using my knowledge to better influence my practice.
August 14, 2019 at 4:46 pm
in reply to: Share how you can explain to parents the difference between music for development and music for skill building.
ParticipantI too agree with Emma that the difference is where the focus is. Music for development is letting the music support their growth while music for skill building would involve some sort of end goal. I agree with Destiny that it is important to validate the parents and that the music meet the children where they are.
ParticipantI have had the opportunity to run a group with a wide range of ages in it and it was definitely difficult. The group I led ranged from ages 4-12 so it was hard to find music that was attention grabbing for the older adolescents and not too childish. I did like that the older ones in the group could model proper behavior for the younger ones and demonstrate how to play the instruments. I had to be quick on my feet because I didn’t know exactly who was going to be in the group on a weekly basis so it was challenging plan ahead.
@Emma I agree that this is similar to working with older adults with varying functional abilities! I had a difficult time during undergrad planning for a group with older adults with a range of functioning levels.
@Kristen I cannot even imagine having to plan for such a wide age group! Props to you! It sounds like a big challenge but you sound like you’re handling it very well.
August 14, 2019 at 4:20 pm
in reply to: Use 5 words to describe the music experiences in Sprouting Melodies 3.
ParticipantSM3: Explore, Flexible, Awareness, Opportunities, Supportive
Plan: Greeting – Sit Down With Me – provides a strong start to the group and grabs the attention of the children as well as the parents. Bonding – My Brand New Friend – I think this is a great song that provides the opportunity for the children to really get to know each other and I love the idea of having the parents model this as well. Songs About Me – Where Is the Music? – I like the idea of this song being a chant and more approachable for the parents that “don’t sing”. Instrument songs – You Play a Little – I love that this song demonstrates turn taking and the children get to practice some patience. Movement – The Leaves Go Down – This is a great song for the fall and is very attention grabbing from the children. Goodbye – Thank You Very Much – I like the sensory aspect to this song!
Family Sprouts: Sharing, Exciting, Bonding, Individual, Togetherness
Plan: Greeting – Hey Everybody – This stresses the idea of the various age children coming together for music time. Bonding – Hold On Tight – I love the idea of changing the speed of this song and giving the children the opportunity to feel like they’re on bikes. Songs About Me – All of This Is Me – Again, I like the idea of changing the speed of this one for the older children and letting the older children help the younger children identify body parts. Instrument Songs – I Like This Song – This song is fun to sing and leaves space for the children to play an instrument if they want to. Movement – I Can Move Around – Like Beth said, there is something for everyone in this song. Goodbye – It’s Time to Say Goodbye
Participant@Emma @Kristen Session/Theraputic Contour is a new term for me so thanks for sharing! I’ve definitely planned sessions to have some sort of contour but didn’t realize there was a formal name for it.
Participant@Emma I agree that rhythm sticks and claves are heavy for children and I did not have child-friendly ones. Usually the older children (3-5) were interested in the rhythm sticks or claves. The children under 3 would try to hold one and ultimately drop it. I also found that the instrument was parent-friendly and a fun way to incorporate the parent in the session.
ParticipantI think that structuring sessions is really important to prevent over-stimulation or under stimulation. I like Beth’s idea of writing out which songs are high energy and which are low while planning. This allows the music therapist to be ready to adapt the session if needed. It also, like a lot of other people mentioned, allows the music therapist to maintain control over the group. Providing some sort of contour gives children the opportunity to explore their environment but ultimately come back to the music. Keeping the children engaged is key!
ParticipantI found myself using egg shakers a lot with children at this developmental level. I’ve used some that were just the eggs and others that had a handle attached to the egg for easier grip. I also found that the children really liked the fruit/ vegetable shaped shakers because it was food that they recognized. The only problem with the fruit/vegetable shakers is that some of the shapes are difficult to grasp especially for the younger children. I agree with everyone that mentioned the various Remo drums and the jingle bells. The rhythm sticks or claves are good as well!
July 30, 2019 at 4:54 pm
in reply to: Share your thoughts with the board members on the role of music therapy in community based settings.
Participant@Emma I agree that it is hard for parents to take time out for their children! I think parents need something like Sprouting Melodies to give them a designated slot in their day for time with their children.
@Kristen Yes I have noticed that family bonding is not tailored to each family member. I think Sprouting Melodies definitely provides something for everyone! Like Destiny was saying, this is a pretty unique opportunity especially for children less than a year old.
July 30, 2019 at 4:42 pm
in reply to: Use 5 words to describe the music experiences in Sprouting Melodies 1.
Participant5 words describing the music for SM1: Relaxed, Connecting, Repetitive, Interactive, Fun
5 sentences for parents: “Thank you for being here today!” “Move the scarf nice and slow so your child can follow your movements.” “It’s great to see your child reach for the maraca!” “Your child looks at you when you sing which means she recognizes your voice!” “I’ve noticed your child smiles every time you hit the drum during the instrument song”
Plan- Providing a hello song that encourages togetherness and that is attention grabbing for the children. I liked “Today’s A Beautiful Day” for the Gathering/Greeting song because it is a slower pace and encourages the parents to personally introduce their child to music. Bonding Song: “Itsy Bitsy Spider”- I would encourage the parents to hold their child’s arms and mimic the moves. The child may just want to watch the parent do the hand motions or the child may want to stand (while supported by the parent) and do it together with the parent. If the child is laying down the parent could move their hands up the baby’s stomach like a “spider”. “The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout, Down came the rain and washed the spider out, Out came the sun and dried up all the rain, And the itsy bitsy spider climbed up the spout again”.Songs About Me: “This Land Is Your Land”- The parents can point to the child and point to themselves when singing “This land is YOUR land, this land is MY land” and “This land was made for YOU and ME”. “This land is your land, this land is my land, From California to the New York island, From the Redwood Forest, to the gulf stream waters, This land was made for you and me.” Instrument Song: To the tune of “Wheels On The Bus” I would sing something like “The maraca in my hand goes shake, shake, shake/ shake, shake, shake/ shake, shake, shake, The maraca in my hand goes shake, shake, shake, Shake it all around”. The maraca could go up and down or side to side to grab the child’s attention. Movement Song: “As Big As Can Be” – I think this is a sweet song for parents to sing to their children while getting the opportunity to hold the child and move around. “Growing up, Growing up, Growing up, As big as can be.” Goodbye Song: The SM goodbye song
July 25, 2019 at 12:50 pm
in reply to: Share some of your experiences with children of this age and level.
ParticipantI, like Destiny, am not a mother so most of my experience with early childhood has been through babysitting and through my internship. The families I’ve worked with have just been excited to see their child shake a maraca and I didn’t have the knowledge to recognize the other things that were happening during the session. I worked with a little boy on an oncology unit who could play in time with the songs, independently pick out his own instrument, and start/stop instrument play with the music. Moving forward I can point out these elements in a session and provide parents with more information regarding their child’s participation in music.
July 25, 2019 at 12:32 pm
in reply to: Share your thoughts with the board members on the role of music therapy in community based settings.
ParticipantI think there is definitely a need for music therapy based classes in the community. Again, I do not practice music therapy right now but I do work in my community and I always see parents asking about the programs offered within my local community. I don’t think children participate in enough music activities especially at a young age. Parents with no musical background often shy away from music because they “can’t sing” or “have no rhythm” so I think offering classes like these makes music seem less “scary” and more approachable. These classes support the parents as much as they support the children.
-
AuthorPosts
