[Karen Collins]

Animated, Flexible, Organized, Playful, Exploration

I was trying really hard to think of another word for exploration but really, it’s so important to let the children explore their environment during this phase of development.

1.) Just because the child is not actively participating does not mean that he/she is not benefiting from the group. The child is watching, observing, and when he/she is ready will participate.

2.) Its perfectly normal for the child to only imitate a few hand motions while singing or just one or the other. It is a lot for them to coordinate at this stage of development. The more exposure, the better.

3.) If you are an adult in the group, be sure to participate too! Your child may not see you but the child across the room can and you are helping them grow and learn through the music experience.

4.) It is okay if your child decides to explore the room outside of the group setting. We will continue our routine and he/she can participate how he is comfortable.

5.) Puppet songs are a great way to encourage pretend play while teaching your child about songs about the world.

Session outline:
Greeting Song – Sing and Move to get the group circle together they are following simple commands
Puppet to encourage the seasonal theme – I like Brown/Grey Squirrel this is also a great way to promote spontaneous vocalizations and pretend play.
Song about the world – this may be another song about the seasonal topic example might be A Ticket a basket with veggie shakers/food items

Instrument song great social skill song, following directions, basic awareness etc.
Movement: its always great to get them up and moving to promote gross motor skills.
Goodbye

[Karen Collins]

I have also found that using a WHISPER can be an effective tool to captivate attention when the children are a little extra wild/over stimulated. Proximity, physical prompt (if needed physical massage of arms) may also help when they are over stimulated.

[Karen Collins]

I think intuition and ability to respond to too much/not enough at this age comes with practice and experience. I have a sweet operatic voice and I have to be careful not to sing too many slow songs or I’ll see my group starting to yawn and become off task.

That being said, I think having a clear outline walking in is very important with this age group, singing transition songs when you are shifting from types of activities, and giving them something to do with their hands…let them wiggle will help (simple commands).

[Karen Collins]

I like the rhythm sticks too – Some of the companies have started making. plastic versions which are probably easier to clean when they are used in the mouth, but they are really long. Hoping they shorten them.

Definitely get the shorter rhythm sticks and don’t be afraid to rub them together on body parts like forehead, knee, elbow. Great sensory tool!

[Karen Collins]

I really like the cage bell and maracas by Lynn Kleiner but they are definitely pricy

I also like the gathering drum by Remo (not the super huge one). This works great with activities that are rocking and sliding because you can gently place a couple of babies in. I also really like the canopy blankets (large ones) to use with caregivers – green for the spring time, blue for the ocean, etc. It’s a great sensory activity. There is a sweet song called “I see You” that I learned many years ago that is sweet to use with scarves, but I don’t usually give the scarves out.

[Karen Collins]

Katherine, I liked how you talked about making sure you are building the confidence of caregivers because in community based settings we want them to be able to take some of what we share and utilize it in the natural environment. Plus, mom’s of infants are worried about the world, so building their confidence is HUGE! Reassuring they are doing the right thing is so important. After all, if mom’s mental health isn’t there, how can she care for her infant!

[Karen Collins]

I want to add, the babies are usually one of the groups that my interns are most intimated working with because they do cry and it’s hard to understand what they really want. Plus, when caregivers are NOT present (or it’s just classroom teachers) and you are the one taking turns with each baby, it can be hard to transition from one baby to the next.

that being said, I think it’s important to understand when a baby is overstimulated and back off a little if necessary.

[Karen Collins]

5 sentences about musical responses:

Remember to imitate the coos and vocalizations that your child is making. this promotes language and social development.

Don’t be afraid to sing to your child, research confirms that your child prefers your (parent/caregiver) voice.

Rocking and bouncing songs are great way to help your child develop sensory processing.

Consider creating your own “set” of bonding, rocking, bouncing songs to use throughout the day. Music is great tool to establish routines and rituals.

Lullabies and song stories are a great way to establish sleep associations to help with your child’s daily routine.

[Karen Collins]

Katherine, I really like ALL of the songs and chants that you shared! 🙂

[Karen Collins]

Playful, Imitative, Gentle, Connection, Calm

1.) Gathering Song: This is a song I used to establish the start of the session with my infant groups. Caregivers are encouraged to rock, bounce, tickle, etc. as directed in song. This is a great way to start the session off.

2.) Name Song with Shakers: Next I use a name chant and encourage the infants to track the shaker… with the eventual target to have them reach and grasp the shaker. It’s neat to watch them track with their eyes and the shaker is usually a bright color so it is easy to see, the handle is easy to grasp and it’s not a big deal if they aren’t actually shaking it yet (because they are so little). Pointing out the responses to sound sources is a huge developmental objective at this point. Before we put the shakers away we may lay the babies down and let the moms practice rolling and tummy time with a shaker song by Rachel Rambach. I usually modify it.

3.)Roly Poly is a Lynn Kleiner chant that I learned on my Internship: This is a great activity to work on simple motor skills like bilateral coordination. This is an excellent bonding opportunity for infants and their caregiver to make eye contact, use playful vocalizations, imitate vocalizations of the child, etc.

4.) Round and Round the Garden/Goin’ on a bike ride is another great chants/songs to use and this usually gets the infants on their back (if they are comfortable). This is when we get a lot of spontaneous vocalizations and I like to encourage the family to imitate the vocalization back to their infant.

5.) Bell song: I like to sing some songs with the Bells since they are on the floor and we can strengthen core on their tummies by ringing and encouraging the infant to track, push up, etc. it’s usually really sweet and motivating and of course if the baby tires out we shift to rocking.

6.) goodby/rocking songs and lullaby – I like “All the Pretty Little Horses”

[Karen Collins]

I was working with a group of newborn-6 months this week. Then followed by 6 months and up. It’s really neat to see how much they respond to vocalizations and just humming/singing to them while rocking. their communicative intent is absolutely precious.

[Karen Collins]

I think the flexibility and ability to improvise with music on the spot to respond to a child(ren) is one of the best qualities a MT can bring to this setting. Also to know when to be animated and when to take a passive role – child centered.

[Karen Collins]

I interned in an Inclusive early learning program. After that I worked for a day school (non-inclusive) and now my business contracts with 4 Inclusive Early Learning Programs. So I have been involved in early childhood music therapy for 7 years.

I also provide family music therapy visits as a special instructor for Alabama Early Intervention System.

I have struggled to get any kind of private group started – all have been through organizations.

[Karen Collins]

I think music therapists can naturally fill unique needs within the community. For example, there are music therapists who provide adapted lessons in the community and most music educators would not necessarily how to do it, but the MT fills in the role (although, there are still non-musical goals and objectives that can be addressed through music instruction).

I have worked with Parents as Teachers (google it and find your local program) because this is a great connection for their monthly get togethers. Some of these children may be delayed due to environmental factors so “therapy” may be a delicate word to use. Early Childhood Music Classes can be a great way to include these children (and their parents).

[Karen Collins]

“Children are all so unique and their responses may change day to day, pulling at the parents strings of creativity. Having refreshing and new fun ways to engage little ones, will cut down on the frustration and stress of parenting.”

Well said Melody! A lot of times parents have NO idea what to do with their child… I know that’s hard to imagine, but it’s true. But when they find a way to bond (especially when their child has special needs), its so empowering for them!

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