[Katie Romano]

Singing:
-Awareness: Makes vocalizations at different pitches
-Trust: Imitates modeled pitches
-Independence:Participates in call and response songs (or songs with animal noises or vowel intonation)
-Control: Spontaneously joins in the singing, occasionally making up own lyrics
-Responsibility: Sings along to the song with correct melody and rhythm – maintains melodic integrity

Playing:
-Awareness: tolerate the texture of instruments touching them
-Trust: grasps maraca and fidgets with it (not necessarily aware they are trying to shake it)
-Independence: plays instruments purposefully
-Control: participates in controlled interment play (stop/go, fast/slow)
-Responsibility: can follow a rhythmic structure

Moving:
-Awareness: they are comforted by rocking (swaying mother etc)
-Trust: displays rhythmic movements
-Independence: Makes intentional (dancing) movements
-Control: matches the their movements to the beat of the music
-Responsibility: can follow a moving sequence

Listening:
-Awareness: reacts to different timbers
-Trust: is comforted by familiar songs (smiles)
-Independence: responds to different aspects of music and enjoys changes
-Control: can play musical games (where they have to listen and follow directions)
-Responsibility:listens to peers play and waits/anticipates their turn

[Katie Romano]

I have not officially used these four music experience in my practice, in the same sense Sprouting Melodies does. I HAVE used them though indirectly. All of my sessions were structured to incorporate these ideas. In the future when I use these concepts I will have a greater understanding and thought about “awareness,” “trust,” “independence,” “control” and “responsibility.” I’ve learned more about the developmental considerations to take in and I feel like my session plans will have more purpose because of it.

[Katie Romano]

To ensure that everyone can be engaged and participates I try to keep the sessions active with a change in pace. With songs and activities changing- keep them on their toes. Offering freedom within the structure- they can pick instruments and even songs for choice boards or something. Another way to encourage engagement is my asking kids opinions on different aspects such as speed or volume of a song and then do their suggestions. Putting their names in songs also works!

[Katie Romano]

To ensure that everyone can be engaged and participates I try to keep the sessions active with a change in pace. With songs and activities changing- keep them on their toes. Offering freedom within the structure- they can pick instruments and even songs for choice boards or something. Another way to encourage engagement is my asking kids opinions on different aspects such as speed or volume of a song and then do their suggestions. Putting their names in songs also works!

[Katie Romano]

Musical Development is using music to support the developmental stages. Music can support all different aspects of development, cognitive, emotional, social, physical and sensory. Music is a supportive agent for change and growth. Music for Skill Building is also an agent change and growth. In this sense music assists with skills such as turn taking, sharing, patience, pitch, rhythm, articulation, melody, etc.

[Katie Romano]

The songs are amazing and SOO catchy. I personally get the song “Wiggly Giggly Car” stuck in my head all the time. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to use them in therapy, but Im excited to use them in the future!

[Katie Romano]

I think the most valuable part of this unit was the discussion and exploration of the developmental stages of early childhood. Having a good understanding of normal development helps us how to interact with the children more appropriately. It also can help identify developmental delays if a child is not behaving the where they should. It also helps adapt interventions and activities to match the needs and developmental stages of our clients/participants!

[Katie Romano]

At this point I cannot become a Sprouting Melodies provider, but Im from a big city (Chicago) and there may be someone who has classes. So I might contact them. Yet the information and songs I learned are very applicable to a variety of settings with children!

[Katie Romano]

When I first started the Sprouting Melodies training I told my old college professor about it and encouraged her to look into it. I thought that the songs or resources (books) would be a great addition to the developmental music therapy course. The songs would be great to use in the clinic too!

[Katie Romano]

By becoming a sprouting melodies provider, Im excited about becoming involved with community music therapy programs. This is something I have little to no experience in, so Im excited about the possibilities. I’m also REALLY excited to work with the age group that goes to Sprouting Melodies. It’s such a fun age group, they are constantly learning and growing and I think it will be fun to be part of the process.

[Katie Romano]

5 Words Sprouting Melodies 3:Active, Deliberate, Accepting, Creative, Intentional

5 Words Family Sprouts: Familiar, Inclusive, Individuality, Connections, Joyful

Sprouting Melodies 3 Session Plan: Gathering- Sit Down With Me (EKS); Bonding- Hold On Tight (EKS); Songs About Me- My Eyes are On My Face (EKS); Instrument Songs- I Can Move Around (EKS); Movement Songs- Jumping Up and Jumping Down (EKS); Goodbye Songs- Thank You Very Much (EKS)

Family Sprouts Session Plan: Gathering- Come On Let’s Make Some Music; Bonding Songs- Wiggle Jiggly Car (EKS); Songs About Me- Can You See Me (EKS); Instrument Songs- I Like This Song (EKS); Movement Songs- Will You Come (EKS); Goodbye- Music Time is Over (EKS)

[Katie Romano]

Stimulation is an interesting discussion. A lot of it depends on the development of their sensory systems, their tolerance thresholds and their ability to self regulate. Some signs that they are overstimulated could be tears, wondering, streaming etc. Similarly for under-stimulation could be wondering, pounding, staring etc. The key with stimulation is constant assessment and to quickly adapt to the needs of the children in the moment. We have such a unique tool with music and have the flexibility to modify it in an instant.

[Katie Romano]

I love maracas, BIG gathering drums, scarves, rhythm sticks (parents have the other ones), shape drums and baby parachute

[Katie Romano]

5 Words: 1. Exploration 2. Spontaneous 3. Playful 4. Authentic 5. Energetic

5 Sentences: 1. Its ok if your child is roaming around, let them explore! 2. If you are gonna bounce your babies, go for it! BUT remember to have them be grounded and have their feet touch the floor. 3. Don’t worry if they put instruments in their mouths, they ARE washed after EVERY session. 4. Play with inflection, your child is and it is a way of communication. 5. Let then explore with musical choices, it helps with development 6. Dont worry if your childs attention span is not always 100 percent- 45 minute session is all long time.

Session Play: Greeting- Hey! Hey! Come and Play! (EKS); Bonding- Wiggly, Jiggle Car (EKS); Songs About Me- Can you see me?; Instruments- Sit with me and Shake (MRP) and the Come and Play with me song…the one that is adapted from “Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat”; Movement- Watch with my Baby (MRP) and Pick Your Hands up High (EKS); Goodbye- Thank you very much (EKS) and Music Time is Over (EKS)

[Katie Romano]

I have very little experience with community based music therapy, except for the small clinic my university had for practicum students. From that little experience, I learned that we were helping bring awareness to music therapy and the benefits it can provide community families. I was able to watch families connect and bond over the musical experiences their children were sharing.
Even though I have limited experience with this model Im really excited to pursue it further. I think the mission of Sprouting Melodies is wonderful and the social/developmental opportunities it can provide are a fun advantage for families.

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