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I have enjoyed this course very much! Thank you for putting in so much time to prepare this course for us to continue learning. I found the videos helpful because I could see how the songs can be implemented as well as practical strategies when handling different behaviors.
One way this course has impacted my practice is having deeper insight to non-musical development of children through the different ages. Since I usually work with 4-5 years olds, I have more education on how to provide services to preschool aged, toddlers, and infants. Although there is so much that happens in early childhood, I also appreciated the examples on to engage siblings, and other groups with larger age gaps, together.
Lastly, I plan to share my knowledge and new skills by building a formal proposal to begin groups at a new childcare facility. I remember from the zoom call I will not be referring to these new groups as Sprouting Melodies. I will be creating a new name, any suggestions that you have seen be successful in the past? The age groups would be: 2-3, 3-4, and 4-5 year olds. Thank you again!
ParticipantI am most excited to implement groups of smaller sizes because my current setting is pretty chaotic with such large groups. The next setting I am moving into will have several support members in the class! From this training I have learned most how to engage children with various ages and how to set everyone in the group up for their own success. This training has also provided me with confidence as several points Elizabeth and Meredith made are part of my practice already!
ParticipantOne strategy I use that was mentioned in the videos is recognizing a child’s engagement even if it seems the child is outside of the group. I like how Meredith said we need to make the music the most exciting thing in the room-I relate to this because one of the groups I currently run has 21 4-5 year olds. Obviously this is not the ideal number of group members but in this setting, I do not choose who/how many comes to the group. Some days it feels that I am putting on a whole circus to engage each child, but it’s worth the effort to see their development.
ParticipantOne challenge mentioned in the videos is meeting the needs of every child in the room, especially in groups that include many different ages. I appreciate Meredith’s ideas of supporting the sibling dynamic and having them work together! This can be enhanced by including the parents and showing appropriate positioning the children to interact with eachother.
Another challenge could be using music that is appropriately stimulating for these different age groups. This can be supported by finding grounding music that has steady beats for the younger ones, while giving improvising freedom to the older aged children.
ParticipantWhen explaining the differences between music therapy and other music based programs is our education, clinical experience, and evaluating musical AND non-musical goals. We come from a perspective that is focusing on the whole child’s development and nurturing their individual growth. I would discuss that music promotes academic, social, and musical progress specific to the goals of each child.
ParticipantAccepting, creative, emotions, strong, intentional
Sit Down With Me, Hold On Tight, You Play A Little, Jumping Down, Time To Go
ParticipantSupportive, individual, cooperation, helping, busy
Come and Join the Circle, Row It Faster, All of This Is Me, You and Me Makes We, Will You Come, It’s Time to Say Goodbye
ParticipantSpontaneous, playful, surprise, exploration, energy
“Children at this age benefit from strong rhythms to maintain attention” “Children may freely move throughout the space and develop relationships with other children and adults” “These instruments promote grasping skills and are accessible for children at this age” “Children in this group love to be surprised” “Music and movement is very appropriate for this age group”
Gathering: Sit Down With Me, Horsey Carry Me, Just Like Me, Dancing In the Middle, As Big As Can Be, Music Time is Over
ParticipantIn my setting, there are many instruments provided that we use daily such as shakers, bells, paddle drums, and scarves! I do not have much experience with using different brands of instruments so I am open to try. Thank you Maria for recommending Remo. Has anyone else tried that brand?
ParticipantThe amount of stimulation a child can appropriately experience is based on the child. Within a group of similar ages, the music therapist will need to be constantly assessing the clients to make sure the environment is safe and encouraging for them. In the videos, we learned that young infants may respond best to a Capella singing with minimal instruments. However as children get older and explore the world using their senses, it is appropriate to use hand held instruments and even incorporate other types of interventions such as movement and partner work!
May 16, 2021 at 10:51 pm
in reply to: Share some of your experiences with children of this age and level.
ParticipantMost of my experience is with ages 3-5 and in an educational setting that is preschool and pre-k. I have worked with infant very little so the videos and song examples were helpful for me! Since several clients I work with now have younger siblings, I would like to explore the groups that include younger and older ages together.
I can share a recent experience with this young age group after seeing these bonding videos. I had been called in to calm an upset infant (I believe 10 weeks) and I held the infant how Meredith showed in a cradling position on my lap. Obviously, this is not in a group setting but the child was comforted and fell asleep by me using the techniques shown in the videos.
ParticipantMusic therapy is an important part of creating a stronger community! The role of music, in this context, is connecting children with their caregivers and other members of the community. Through these bonding songs there is a two way communication that promotes healthy relationships (child and caregiver/parent). Music can also bring together different families and this encourages positive social interaction. I agree with Cecilia there has been lack of social interaction this past year that has impacted everyone so differently, but music will always play on!!
May 9, 2021 at 9:54 pm
in reply to: How have you used these four music experiences in your practice?
ParticipantListening- I facilitated a group of 4-year olds in a music assisted drawing experience where they created art based on their reactions and feelings to the music
Singing- exploring chest, mid, and head voice with 5 year old children using sirens
Movement- Sit Down with Me and gave children opportunities to choose different movements
Instruments- Sit with Me using maracas to work on impulse control, turn taking, following restsMay 9, 2021 at 9:49 pm
in reply to: What are the needs of the families and communities that you work with?
ParticipantIn my current early learning center, parents have been asking for support with their children’s social behaviors. Due to the pandemic the parents have stated differences in the way their child responds to others and how it has changed with using masks regularly. I have personally not explored this yet but it seems to be a frequent observation made. Music could promote healthy relationships and interactions with others? I am still reflecting on this…
ParticipantMusic therapists provide support and give helpful resources to young families! Because we have education in child development, we are able to encourage parents who may be struggling with their child. The parents from the videos advocate that music gives lots of opportunities for parents to connect with their kids. Overall, music experiences accept children and their parents where they are at (developmentally) which is so important.
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