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Similarly to what I have said in other posts, this training has been a great refresher and addition to my knowledge of early childhood development. It will help to better inform my choices for music and experiences in my early childhood classes and in my clinical work. The parents of the children I serve will benefit from this additional knowledge as well. I now feel more confident in my role as an early childhood music therapy provider.
ParticipantI plan on re-reading the information multiple times for my own comprehension and growth and incorporating the information about development (physical, emotional, social and musical) into my Parent Education Moments in my early childhood classes and also sharing with my colleagues when appropriate. I also plan on referencing the ‘opportunities for success’ handout often and may use some of the songs from You and Me Makes Me in my clinical work.
June 7, 2017 at 8:40 pm
in reply to: Use 5 words to describe the music experiences in Sprouting Melodies 3.
ParticipantMusic Experience in Sprouting Melodies 3
1. Active
2. Creative
3. Exploratory
4. Intentional
5. IndependenceMusic Experience in Family Sprouts
1. Joyful
2. Transformative
3. Connections
4. Helping
5. SharingSongs and Experiences for Sprouting Melodies 3:
Gathering: Sit Down with Me
Bonding: Swimming Together
Songs About Me: My Eyes on My Face
Instrument Songs: Music is the Way
Movement Songs: The Leaves are Falling
Goodbye: Time to GoSongs and Experiences for Family Sprouts:
Welcome Song: Come and Join Me in the Circle
Bonding Song: I Like to Lick the Ice Cream
Song About Me: That All Makes Up Me
Instruments: I Like this Song
Movement: I Can Move Around
Goodbye: It’s Time to Say GoodbyeParticipantI agree with what has already been said. My main takeaways from the video were as follows– I think there is a challenge of not overstimulating the young children while keeping the older children engaged and keeping talking to a minimum so that one child doesn’t dominate the session. Providing the older children opportunities to make choices and be leaders while keeping everyone in the session comfortable and changing the lyrics or the movements to engage the older children while still supporting the younger children with the repetition of the musical material.
ParticipantI agree with all that was said above. Meredith and Beth talk a lot more about developing fine and gross motor, the differences in ability to play 1 vs. two handed instruments, being able to do more complex movements like skipping or jumping, and overall developmental milestones, rather than building musical skills. Similarly, in music together, the focus is on development and reaching basic music competence rather than being able to sing a song a certain way, learn a choreographed dance or play an instrument, all of which I would consider “skills”. While Sprouting Melodies seems to focus even more so on development and less on music competence I would think that by being in this rich music environment both would be enhanced.
ParticipantI most likely will not become a Sprouting Melodies provider because I am already with Music Together but I really appreciated the in depth study of development that this course offered I look forward to being able to apply that knowledge to my early childhood classes and my clinical work as well!
ParticipantI had a new child join my Monday morning Music Together class this semester who presented a challenge for me! He was a kinesthetic learner, moved around A LOT, and had very limited spatial awareness. I approached my center director about it and her advice was very similar to the advice given by Meredith and Beth and I implemented it immediately. She gave me a few pieces of advice on the levels Meredith and Beth talked about. 1. If the child is moving, but engaged and safe, just point it out, put the parents at ease by letting them know that you see the behavior, and you are OK with it, and even encourage it! 2. If the child is moving and unengaged, try to re-engage them with the music, try scooping them up, get up and follow them around the room (not chasing them, but just shadowing them)– I wasn’t sure if this would work, but it did! and finally if the child reaches a point where they are moving and dangerous, verbally and/or physically redirecting depending on the need. I also sent an email to the caregiver after our first session to talk about strategies for helping their child be successful. He has been getting used to the structure of the group and through these strategies he has had a successful music experience! 🙂
ParticipantI also try to use instruments that can be easily sanitized. Remo gathering drum, Remo hand drums, I have some Nino Chiquitas, clatterpillar, the types of bells that we were shown in the SM1 training video, small rainsticks, etc.
May 23, 2017 at 5:05 pm
in reply to: Use 5 words to describe the music experiences in Sprouting Melodies 2.
Participant5 words: playful, energetic, independence, exploration, variety
5 sentences for parents:
1. It’s normal for kids to observe and absorb during class time and then sing at home.
2. Children are developing independence during this stage and need to be able to move around freely during class.
3. When you holding your baby in your lap, hold them under their shoulders so that they are able to freely move their arms around
4. The bottoms of babies’ feet are great for sensory input, try tapping the rhythm there
5. Watch as your child learns to shake a maraca. They will begin by mouthing and then they may start and stop their mouthing with the music, you can also watch as their movements progress from slow waving to actual shaking and being able to start and stop their movement with the musicSession Plan
1. Hey Hey Come and Play
2. Wiggly Jiggly Car
3. Just Like Me
4. Sit With Me and Shake
5. I Can Move Around
6. Goodbye
7. Thank You Very MuchParticipantI would agree with what was said above, I think that you want to provide enough energy that the children and parents are engaged but not so much that we are startling anyone. I think it might have been mentioned in a previous video that there is a way to provide a quiet type of energy, by using articulation and facial expressions to draw everyone in while not being ‘in your face’ as Carolyn put it. 🙂
May 19, 2017 at 1:40 pm
in reply to: Share some of your experiences with children of this age and level.
ParticipantI have found, as Meredith and Beth mentioned, that when working with children in this age group I need to be aware of my affect, gestures, vocal tone, etc. I’m generally a gentle, warm person, but when I get excited or energized I can raise my voice or say things in a sharper tone (example– a few weeks ago a young child, older than 9 months but same concept, had a Star Wars shirt on in one of my classes and I excitedly said “ah man! I like your shirt buddy! while pointing to his shirt” he immediately got a concerned look on his face, turned away from me and ran back to his mom. oops!) I also liked their comments about the benefits of being in class even if a baby is sleeping, I had a mom in my last 10 week session who dealt with that, and while I encouraged her to come and told her it was okay I hadn’t thought of that situation from the perspective Beth and Meredith gave, so thank you for that!
May 19, 2017 at 1:35 pm
in reply to: Use 5 words to describe the music experiences in Sprouting Melodies 1.
Participant5 words: gentle, sensory, bonding, awareness, calm
Things to Say to Parents:
1. It’s important to be on your baby’s level, generally about 12-18 inches away 2. When using scarves make the scarf short so they can see it and move slowly so they are able to follow your movements. 3. It is your voice and timbre that your baby wants to hear most 4. Don’t worry if your baby is sleeping, we’re glad you are here and by being here you are learning music that you can share with your baby later. 5. Touch helps your baby bond with you, try keeping a steady beat on their body during our hello songSession Plan:
Greeting- Good Morning
Bonding Song- Wiggly Jiggly Car
Song about Me- Who’s That?
Instrument Songs- It’s Your Turn
Movement- Pick Your Hands Up High
Goodbye-Music Time is OverAll songs are taken from ‘You and Me Makes We’
ParticipantI actually did a project on Community Music Therapy as a part of a graduate course that I took on Music Therapy in Trauma Informed care. I loved this model and its flexibility. I think that music therapists have a lot to offer the community, whether the service provided is clinical & goal based with assessment and documentation, or whether it is music therapy ‘based’ and following a music enrichment model. Speaking personally, I have in the past gotten caught up in limiting myself to clinical, goal based work with assessment and documentation out of a feeling of necessity, feeling as though if I did not have these components I was somehow missing the bar, I’m not sure if I’m making sense, but there was a feeling of ‘I’m a Music Therapist, I HAVE to be providing CLINICAL MUSIC THERAPY’. That is all well and good, but I agree with Meredith and Elizabeth that our skillset as MTs is unique and we can use our knowledge and clinical training to provide unique, quality, community-based music enrichment experiences as well. I like the program and if I was not already providing Music Together as part of a team that I really enjoy working with I would probably consider becoming a provider, and may even consider sometime down the road should circumstances change.
ParticipantI will also add that being in Cleveland, the demographic is diverse and families need to feel welcome, accepted, included and often appreciate music that is culturally diverse and not limited to one style or genre.
ParticipantLove your Winnicott reference Alison! I think that the needs of the families I work with are similar to the mom in the video. Most of the parents are looking for a program that their child enjoys, that allows them to bond with their child, that supports their child’s development and can enhance their knowledge as parents. Many are looking for opportunities for socialization with other parents and kids and they are looking for an experience that extends itself beyond the weekly session (tools they can take home and use). In an instructor, I think they need someone who is knowledgeable, can assure them of the safety and security of their child in the session, someone who makes them comfortable, is personable and is enthusiastic about the services they are providing.
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