Forum Replies Created
-
AuthorPosts
-
Participant
I feel like this course reminded me of all the skills I already have, and put information I might have already known about development in a different type of structure. I look forward to working with kiddos in each of the different sprouting melodies levels, but also using some of these different songs (especially lap songs and some of the sensory-based songs) for clients who have higher sensory needs.
I also look forward to talking with families in a different way- showing them all the different strengths their children are utilizing. I also know that with my colleagues we share songs all the time, so I hope that hearing me sing some of the songs from this course might add some variety in songs they use as well! 🙂ParticipantOne of the things I’m most excited about is using this knowledge and songs to inform parents and caregivers- I look forward more to some of my parental conversations now! While I know I already had the knowledge on what to say, I feel like I have a better scope of how to phrase it in the best and comforting way. I also am just excited to use some of the bonding and lap ride songs not just with my early childhood kiddos, but with some of my kiddos that need extra sensory stimulation in sessions. Those can be the most frustrating for me, as I know what they need, but I’m not sure how to give that, and hearing a lot of the songs in this course I’ve thought of new ways to use them. I also feel like my songwriting creativeness has been sparked a little more during this training, and I’m excited to keep that up!
ParticipantThis is a strategy I use with one of my kiddos that isn’t in a group, but I do have one individual client that is one that very casually will drop instruments, not when she’s all done, but just because. I’ve gotten good at looking at her body language right before she drops an instrument, and using “my turn” and taking a turn before giving it back to her for more play, and it has reduced the amount of times she’s dropped instruments.
In groups, I think that setting group rules has helped- (ex- I have a song we use regularly with our slightly older kiddos about a “Big Belly Bubble” of personal space that we sing at groups, and then reference to) and showing when rules are being followed, not just broken. I think also making sure the atmosphere is safe and welcoming, but also having items if a kiddo needs some extra sensory support is also a good thing.Participant5 words- connectedness, busy, musical, sharing, love
Gathering- Everybody’s Here
Bonding/Lap Song- Going on a Train Ride
Movement- I’ve Got Rhythm in Me
Instrument Song- I like This Song
Song About Me- Just Like Me
Scarves- Autumn Leaves Are Falling (my song)
GoodbyeParticipantI think the big challenges of multi-age groupings come down to understanding where every participant is in their development. You might have one kiddo who is definitely exploring themselves and coming into their own and wants to be the star of the show, but you might also have someone who still needs all the trust and safety of having a parent nearby. I like in the video about Family Sprouts using those older kiddos as a model and making sure those older kiddos as models is a great idea because as one person you can only do so much!
ParticipantDitto what Grace said- we’ve got the psychological and neurological understanding through our training to help observe certain developmental milestones that other more education-based classes might miss. We’re also taught to be incredibly flexible, and that is important when working with groups at that early childhood level, when everyone can be at a very different level and need different things from group facilitation.
Participant5 words- energetic, ME, interesting, playful, happy
Gathering Song- Drum Beat Grounding Hello- Everybody’s Here
Instrument Song- Boom Boom Boom on the Drum
Song About Me- Just Like Me
Movement Song- STOP
Scarves Song
GoodbyeParticipantOn a whole session kind of sphere I like to start low expectations, working up to the thing I want most to complete during the session or the thing that takes the most brain power in the middle, and then coming back down to calmer activities before goodbye- I like to look at stimulation on a whole in a similar sense, start low stimulation, increasing towards the middle being the highest point of stimulation, and then slowly getting kiddos back to calm towards goodbye. As Grace said though, it depends on the children on the group! There might be kids that need to stay in that low stimulation level and calmer, more consistent music and not get to a higher stimulation level, or there might be kiddos that need high stimulation and lots of musical variety the WHOLE time. That’s where our keen observation skills as therapists will come in. If there’s one kiddo that needs a little more in a group of more low stimulation kiddos, tickles might be a good way to provide more stimulation without causing too much disruption to the rest of the group. I think also having stable and consistent transition songs as well as silence can also help in that pause to give kiddos’ brains time to recover and come back to a happy medium level.
ParticipantMost of my instruments are based on what is available and inexpensive but high quality. My boss is in charge of getting instruments, and unless I have a certain item in mind, she gets what safe, inexpensive, but high quality instruments, a lot from West Music or Amazon. What an amazing world it would be if every music therapy practice had an unlimited budget, but I know most of us still have pretty tight constraints on our budgets. Adapted instruments for those with mobility concerns or safety concerns will also be utilized.
ParticipantPost pandemic being clean is such a BIG thing! I haven’t gotten to try it, but I know Remo is supposed to have a pretty good clean line that can be wiped off easier I think and will hold up to consistent disinfection!
Participant5 Words: Playful, curious, exciting, responsive, instrumental
5 Sentences: It’s so good to see your child coming into their own! I’m starting to see their own personality coming into class, and see them exploring instruments they might like, and some that maybe they won’t like. It might take a little bit of time for them to show those preferences too, but every time they come to class they’re learning and listening! It’s okay for them to explore and move around and they really feed off your energy too! Feel free to use these songs at home and see if they are interested on their own using them at home.
Plan:
Gathering song/ Greeting: Everybody’s Here
Moving Song:I Can Move Around
Bonding Song: Wiggly Jiggly Car
Instrument Song: I Like This Song
Song About Me:Where is the Music?- I’m going to also slow this one waaaaay down as I get closer to goodbye to get energy back down a little and not end on a peak!
Goodbye SongParticipantMusic therapy in the community I think is to really show the community how beneficial music can be, while being accomodating and accessible. There aren’t too many easily accessible music programs the whole of the community can participate in- a lot of music events are through schools, or some are through religious organizations someone might not be a part of, or not very accessible cost wise (seeing live music or theatre), and music therapy led events for the community can build music for communities and prove how effective and beneficial music can be!
October 19, 2022 at 1:32 pm
in reply to: Share some of your experiences with children of this age and level.
ParticipantI haven’t worked with this earliest age range yet either, but I have worked with a few infants that were close skill set wise in early intervention. Most of my music selections were based on sensory experiences, and this was right after my internship in the schools, so it took me a while to adjust mindsets!
Participant5 words to describe the music experiences in Sprouting Melodies 1 is gentle, nurturing, soothing, exploratory, and calm.
When speaking with parents about the musical responses of children in SM1:
Infants in this level of Sprouting Melodies are just beginning to interact with their environments! Music responses in this class would include simple things such as turning to the music, smiling, and starting to even coo with music. As they get older and more used to the Sprouting Melody environment, reactions and responses will be more noticeable. Music in this Sprouting Melodies class is really about musical interactions that we can set up to help you begin a musical bond with your child.Plan:
Gathering Song/ Hello- (I’ve got one that’s called Everybody’s Here and It’s Time to Sing Hello that might work for this class with adaptations!)
Bonding Song w/Movement- Wiggly Jiggly Car
Instrument Play- I Like This Song
Transition Song-Tickle
Songs About Me/Singing- Just Like Me
Cooldown Movement- Scarves
GoodbyeOctober 14, 2022 at 1:29 pm
in reply to: What are the needs of the families and communities that you work with?
ParticipantI always think it’s so interesting when the whole family is inovlved in virtual therapy! Good for you for being able to meet your families’ needs completely virtually!
-
AuthorPosts
