[Katie Whipple]

I love the idea of the toy store… never would have thought of that. We have a really neat toy store in our surrounding area that supplies “old school” toys that encourage learning and creativity. I’d love to contact them for a workshop or even once a month music group- it could help both of us drum up some business. Other ways I will be sharing this info is through a “parents of” group on facebook and another mommy facebook page for our community.

[Katie Whipple]

I’m very excited to have participated in this training! I will be offering two different classes very soon… one for 6-18 months with an emphasis on sign language and another 18 month-3 years. I will be working on my session plans and will be developing my own names for the classes, etc. It is my hope that offering inclusive, early childhood music programs will help our teaching clinic grow and gain more clients!

[Katie Whipple]

Hi there! I’m not sure that I will become an official provider as of yet, but I am looking forward to implementing the many, many songs and strategies that I have learned about. I plan to offer two classes in my community utilizing the SM age categories- I will be offering a 6-18 month sign and sing class. I have been learning a little more about sign language and I think it will be a perfect addition to the ideas offered through this training. I will also offer another class for 18 months to 3 years. There are so many parents in my area that are searching for something like this. I’m so excited to go out and utilize all this knowledge from the training. I also teach a Practicum with Children class and we will be utilizing Beth’s Early Childhood Music Therapy book. I’m so excited to use the book as it will be very helpful for the students!

[Katie Whipple]

1. Swift and natural transitions- too much down time in between experiences is never a good thing… so utilizing those transitions songs is a must!
2. Providing opportunities for choices or leading peers (when appropriate)- this can go a long way to helping a little one with very little choices in their life to feel empowered.
3. Using dynamics- always utilizing the dynamics of my voice, guitar, other instruments and of the song to change or shape a behavior
4. Incorporating the parent- It doesn’t hurt to utilize the parents or caregivers to redirect behaviors! For example, “Hey Sammie… what color are mom’s shoes today… what about her scarf… can you help your mom with the scarf?”
5. Turning little one’s into helpers! Kids love to help and feel that they are important. You can redirect many behaviors by asking for their help in passing out instruments, collecting instruments, showing others how to pat, etc.

I definitely agree with those of you who talked about proximity and positive reinforcement. Michelle great question about numbers. Kristina to clarify- is that 12 including adults or is it 12 kiddos plus 12 adults? thanks!

[Katie Whipple]

Beth I really like how you describe the difference as being directly related to their response and what is seen as being “acceptable”. For me that makes the difference between development vs. skills very clear! I suppose another example may be level of participation… meaning how you’ve talked about the “silent singers”. That is a natural part of development, yet for other facilitators who are focused on musical skills, they may be putting emphasis on the child actually singing and actively participating… so the expectations of responses is very different in Sprouting Melodies. I feel that our music therapy training really helps us look for these developmentally appropriate responses rather than skills.

[Katie Whipple]

Oh my! What a good question! I’m sure what appears as challenges at first may become the strengths of the groups. My biggest concern is that the older children will become bored and uninterested… however I think that there are ways to combat this by giving the bigger kiddos “helper” roles like picking up instruments, singing to brother, or helping me remember the words when I forget wink 😉 On the flip side my other concern is that the younger babies are too overstimulated. I think that utilizing dynamics will be key because it is not only my energy and dynamics that I am concerned with but also the overall dynamics of the group. So keeping it low key enough or even situating the different kiddos in different places within the circle and avoiding large, loud instruments will help. Really you don’t know because every kid is different and each Family Sprouts class will be different. You really have to go with the overall needs of the group.

[Katie Whipple]

I think one way to help clarify the difference is to tell parents that we are there to support their child’s “natural development” where ever they may be. Our time spent together will provide children with the opportunity to experience music in ways that makes sense to them, while we gently escort them to the next level of musical development. Skill development is a by product, but our intention here is for wellness in whatever path that might be for the child.

[Katie Whipple]

Five words for SM3: independence, choices, musical, creative and energetic

Session plan for SM3: I would open with Hello, Everybody followed by a gathering song “Gather Round”. I think a bonding song would work next to establish that secure base such as My Brand New Friend (especially since at this age they are playing and learning so much from their peers). For main activities I would utilize “Where is the music” followed by some movement songs such as The Leaves Go Down and Will You Come”. They some instrument songs like You play a little and I like this song followed by a good bye song and Thank you very much!

Five words for Family Sprouts: connecting; learning; sharing; integrating, and FUN!

Session plan for Family Sprouts: This one is a little more tricky since there are so many different developmental levels. I would definitely do a hello song like Hello, Everybody and sing each person’s name. I wold warm everyone up with some movement songs like I Can Move Around and encourage the children to move in their own way… whatever level they are at. I would then do some songs about me like “Can You See Me” and encourage peer to peer interaction or toddler to caregiver interaction. Instrument song like “Dancing in the Middle” or “I like this song” would be great as well as some traditional nursery songs. Last I would bring the energy down with Pick Your Hands Up High followed by the goodbye song.

[Katie Whipple]

When working with a group versus individuals this can be much more tricky! I think the level of stimulation should mimic the therapy session arc… you start small then give them more in the middle and then back it back down to end the session. There are many factors though… choosing to give the kiddos instruments obviously can be very stimulating for some… some may find that everyone singing loudly is too stimulating. You really just have to keep your observation skills keen… consistently scan the room and make changes accordingly. You may need to situate yourself somewhere if your voice and guitar are just too much for one of the kiddos. Being flexible is key. But as far as “what is too much” stimulation varies with each kid and the state they are in. Especially if there are any children in the group with some sensory integration issues.

[Katie Whipple]

Five words to describe SM2- curious; fun; suprising, toddling and observing

Five sentences to tell parents- 1. It is OKAY if your baby or toddler is not keeping the same beat as the music. 2. Match your beat to your babies… if they are bouncing at their own tempo follow them! 3. Your baby is starting to explore because they know they have you as a secure base to come back to. 4. Your baby may not interact very much with their peers yet and that is okay… they will become more and more aware and curious of their peers as they develop 5. Have fun with your baby all the time by singing these songs at home… change the words to work for you… Instead of “do you want to make some music” sing “do you wanna splish splash… splish splash in the bath”, etc.

A typical session plan would start with a Hello Song… I really like the Good Morning to You song… not a lot of words but a lot going on musically… Then warm up the kiddos with a gathering song like Hey! Hey! Come and Play!. For main activities I would most likely utilize a bonding song like Wiggly, Jiggly Car or Hold On Tight (my kids love that one!). Also some songs about “me” and some movement songs. Depending upon how well the kids transitions I may save the instruments songs for last so they can keep them the rest of the session. I always like to cool things down with a relaxing, seated (if possible!) movement song. Last would be a goodbye song and “Thank you very much” (I love that idea!). It models appropriate social interactions in a fun way!

[Katie Whipple]

Since our music therapy clinic is tied to our undergraduate program we are very fortunate to be able to utilize a plethora of instruments and resources. We have several remo gathering drums and a variety of shakers and bells. However, I would like to purchase in the near future the fruit shaped shakers… those are just adorable! We also have the drums that are different shapes (I think made by Remo) and those are a lot of fun as well!

[Katie Whipple]

So both of my sons are very musical! Charlie my 6 month old loves to coo and sing to mama! My 2 1/2 year old, Griffin, loves to sing and play just about anything! He introduces me to songs that I forget all about… like the baby bumble bee song! It’s fantastic and Charlie will just laugh and light up when I sing it to him, especially with all the dramatic components! My most favorite thing to do right now is record Griffin singing right before he goes to sleep. He has been singing Baa Baa Black Sheep almost every night the last week or so and although he has a hard time with the words at times he has the pitches and rhythms.

[Katie Whipple]

Oh my goodness! I cannot say enough about the role of MT in the community. I have worked with adults with developmental disAbilities for the last 9 years and there is nothing quite like having volunteers and students be a part of our music therapy groups and then to watch these integrated groups perform is so magical. True wellness (in all domains… physical, emotional, etc.) naturally encompasses a person’s place in his or her community. And… regardless of ability or disability it is so important that each human being feels like a part of their own community and can contribute in a meaningful way. Because music is so social in nature it is the perfect tool to bridge anyone into his or her community. The focus for the classes that I will offer after this training is INCLUSIVE music for everyone. I have seen the effects of institutionalization and if we can provide our children in this generation a chance to be within their community rather than tucked away just think about the life long skills and relationships they will have! I do feel that traditional clinical music therapy has a place but I also feel that ultimately it is my goal as an MT to help each person progress into his or her community as a happy, contributing member. All that being said I think that many others including parents feel this way and it is a true need for many communities.

[Katie Whipple]

Five words that I would use to describe SM1 would be new; stimulating; following; observant and love.

Five things to tell parents: 1. Just go with the flow of your baby. If he’s hungry or sleepy that is OK. Meet those needs first and take what you learn today home with you! 2. Just enjoy the uninterrupted moment with you baby… free from distractions! 3. It’s okay if that instrument goes straight to their mouth! The instruments are clean and that is what I hope… that they will explore them in the way that is the most developmentally appropriate way to learn… and for now that is sticking everything in their mouth! 4. Don’t think that your baby won’t like your voice… in fact your baby LOVES your voice among anyone else’s in the world! 5. Don’t be alarmed if your baby cries when you sing to him or her. In fact, many times babies have such a strong emotional connection to hearing their parents sing to them that it may invoke a strong emotional response (of crying…).

Hello song- Good Morning (in the mixolydian scale)- that song lends itself to swaying and is very calming
Warm up- Today’s a Beautiful Day followed by Row it Faster
Main activities- As big as can be, Where is my face, Sit with Me and Shake, In my little hand, Pick your hands up high (I think the flow of movement vs. instrument play vs. awareness would be nice interspersed through out)
Cool down- I like this song (very calming and transitional)
Good bye song

[Katie Whipple]

There is a huge need in my community for ANY kind of music class. Mom’s around here have expressed their wish to have mommy and me classes and don’t really prefer one curriculum over the other. There is really nothing offered right now and that is why I am so excited to be going through this training so that we CAN offer these classes. As Michelle stated above, there is a strong need for mommies to connect with each other, so it becomes not only about the kiddos and their families, but also a sense of community among mommies. There is also a need for private music therapy services for adults and children in my area and surrounding counties.

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