[Kristen Crouch]

Since SM is a music therapy based program provided by a music therapist, the approach is different than other music classes that are teaching music skills. Our focus her is on the whole child and his development. All of our music activities focus on helping him develop and move through his developmental levels. The child will learn some music skills along the way, but it is not our focus. He is learning other skills like motor, social, communication, etc as well as music skills, so there is skill building involved. However, the focus is on his whole development.

[Kristen Crouch]

I answered this somewhat in the other question as to how I will use the info I’ve learned as a music therapist. As to whether or not I will be add a SM program to my business is undecided. I love the program and that all the business work is done and packaged together nicely. I’m just trying to determine if this is the right time for me and my business. If I do add it I will recommend other therapists working with me to do the training as well.

[Kristen Crouch]

I would recommend this training to colleagues interested in early childhood. I found the information very beneficial and agree that it helps to fill some gaps in our training as music therapists. Having a better understanding on the growth and development of children 0-5, especially in regards to music development, helps me provide a better service to my clients which impacts families and administrators. I typically do yearly trainings for other professionals on the use of music in early childhood and will be incorporating this information in those trainings, as well as researching more about Music and Literacy. As always, I will also continue to educate parents and families.

[Kristen Crouch]

Redirect, redirect, redirect. This has been the key for me in working with little ones. If they are not on task or doing something that is undesirable I may or may not comment on their action and then redirect to the appropriate activity. Encouraging them to “use nice hands” as opposed to “no don’t do that” is another strategy that works well and keeps it positive. Although there are times that I feel its appropriate to say no.

[Kristen Crouch]

Working with young children in a positive environment where we are educating and encouraging parents to work with their little ones as they grow and develop. I love that as music therapists we address the whole child and the family that comes with that child. We offer a great service to our community and I’m excited to be a part of it.

[Kristen Crouch]

Sprouting Melodies 3: Active, emotions, push/pull, creative, personality

Session Plan: Gathering/Greeting – Sit Down and Join My Circle (inviting everyone to join in and begin music time); Bonding – Swimming Together (perfect for FL as we swim most of the year, can be on lap or standing up); Songs About Me – Where Is The Music (love this) or other song about signing and making music; Instruments – You Play A Little (great for your turn/my turn and social skills); Movement – Jumping up and jumping down (or other song that involves jumping/stomping/marching); Cool Down – A book or song with scarves to slow it down (or playing on a pentatonic scale which Beth mentioned works well even with the rowdiest boys); Goodbye – Music time is over or other goodbye song

Family Sprouts: Variety, support, sharing, busy, cooperation, connections, helping (yes I know its more than five but they are all so important)

Session Plan: Gathering/Greeting – Hey Everybody or other greeting song that welcomes and focuses; Bonding Song – Rowing song that gets the family moving together (maybe even have two kids sitting with parent like in a canoe); Songs About Me – Who’s that? or song that talks about each person (me and you) where you can point out different family members and friends; Instruments – I like this Song or song that is relaxed and welcomes variety of instruments; Movement – song with scarves where older children are free to move around the room and infants can remain in parent’s lap; Goodbye – Its Time To Say Goodbye

[Kristen Crouch]

My biggest concern would be for the newborns who are sensitive to loud noises and over-stimulation. I’m sure newborns who have older siblings are somewhat used to the noise and chaos of older kids running around, but a newborn that is a first child may be sensitive. I think a music group would be a good way to introduce that newborn to different sounds and stimulation, if done carefully. I guess I tend to be overprotective of the littlest ones. I just think about how to have lots of energy and excitement for the older ones without startling the younger ones; how to offer lots of different instruments that may be loud without startling or overwhelming the newborns.

Also offering lots of repetition is important for the little ones where as the older ones need variety. I guess doing the same song but changing up the lyrics or movements or instruments could offer both.

[Kristen Crouch]

Playful, Anticipated Surprise, Freedom, Exploratory, Responsive, Authenticity

1. Your child is learning to be more independent. There will be times when he will stay near to you (safe) and times when he will want to venture out. He will come back. He may even venture over to other parents as he learns that this is a safe environment.
2. Its ok if they aren’t singing along in the group. They are learning and observing and will probably respond by singing on his own at home.
3. As we are doing our instrument and movement songs, your child may or may not be doing exactly as we are doing, and thats ok. We will model for him and he will watch and try at his own pace.
4. Your child is starting to understand that he is a separate person from you. This is developmentally appropriate. We are helping him to learn his identity. Its ok to let him start to be more independent.
5. Your child is not quite ready to clap on his own but you can help him to learn the general movements by supporting him and having him put his hands on your hands/arms as you clap.

Session Plan SM 2:
Exploration of Instruments
Hello/Gathering Song: A simple two word hello song like Hello Everybody
Body Percussion/Gathering: A song that gets everybody moving (clapping, stomping, swaying) and the theme of music time/gathering together
Lap Ride/Bonding: Baby on lap with parent bouncing and moving (horse or car or boat), adding fermatas, changes in timbre, dynamics, tempo
Song About Me: Song that really helps child identify “me” like All of this is me or that all makes up me
Instrument Play: Gathering drum or instruments in the center with Dancing in the Middle or other song that offers steady beat and encourages instrument play
Gross Motor: Marching song that gets everyone marching, stomping, jumping, etc; instruments still in hand is ok
Cool Down: Slower song with scarves that can be done standing or sitting; some modeled movement, some free movement
Goodbye: Music time is over or goodbye song; adding shaking hands or waving goodbye with smiles

[Kristen Crouch]

SM 2 seems to allow more stimulation than SM 1 but without it being too much. I think its very important to constantly watch the children and assess how they are handling the stimulation. I think this is a good time to start introducing different types of stimulation like scarves, instruments, even changes in dynamics and tempo and timbre. But like with anything its in small amounts and it builds on each other over the course of time.

Something I’ve been pondering in my mind is how much stimulation is too much in the environment of the room. I tend to have a very busy space with lots of information, colors, and textures which may be ok for older kids but probably not for the little ones. I’ve noticed that other mt spaces tend to be very bland – lacking in color and textures and information and always wondered why. Perhaps its better to have a neutral background so that the activity, music, instruments, scarves, people that are in the music group are the focus and children are not distracted by all the other stimuli. Still working this out in my mind….

[Kristen Crouch]

I use the small maracas that are easy to hold and sound nice. I think they are called chiquitas. I also have set of four baby instruments: Hohner Kids Baby Band. LP RhythMix Animal Shaker Set, Hohner Kids Single Baby Maraca, Remo drums, etc

[Kristen Crouch]

Calm, Exploration, Bonding, Closeness, Gentle</p>
<p>”This is a time for you and your baby to spend some quality time together. Do what you need for your baby and enjoy yourself.”<br />
“Pay attention to your babies cues and adjust as you need.”<br />
“Sing along as much as you can – its your voice that your baby wants to hear.”<br />
“Its ok if your baby responds differently to a song or activity we are doing from the other babies. Each child is unique and is developing in his own time.”<br />
“Remember to take some deep breaths and just enjoy being with your baby. This time is for you too!”</p>
<p>Session Plan:<br />

Exploration of instruments and welcoming music<br />

Hello song – a song to welcome everyone and help focus everyone to begin. Something in 3/4 to encourage rocking.<br />

Bonding song – a song where baby is on parent’s lap and parent engages baby with facial affect and gentle bouncing or swaying.<br />

Song about me – a song where parent is singing along about baby’s body parts, touching each part as its sung with hand or scarf, with excited affect<br />

Instrument song – a song with a strong steady rhythm where parent and baby can play along on drum or maraca<br />

Movement song – a song where parents move baby up and down, side to side, or for littlest ones gently moves hands/arms and legs/feet up and down to he beat of the music.<br />

Cool Down/Relaxation song – a quiet, slow song that again encourages rocking, perhaps something with out words but rather encourages parents to just hum along or use vowels like ahh or ooo

Goodbye song – a closing song where everyone sings along, looking at others, parents can model waving bye and smiling at others

[Kristen Crouch]

(Sorry, I should have expanded on my last thought before hitting enter)

Sometimes it takes just a change in pace or activity, a new perspective like having him stand after laying down or tossing him gently up, or singing in a different voice (more excited or silly). Their attention is short so change is good. Again you have to be sensitive to what they can handle.

[Kristen Crouch]

Another observation while working with my son. Sometimes he just needs a change of perspective or pace. When he gets fussy usually he’s been in the same position or with the same toys for awhile. Sometimes just picking him up and doing a movement song/activity with him brings giggles and laughs when two seconds ago he was fussy.

[Kristen Crouch]

I have experience working in the NICU with babies. Obviously we offer music in a very quiet and calm manner and watch for over-stimulation, which is similar to what we are doing with the littlest ones in SM1. I’m also familiar with types of instruments and materials appropriate for babies from working with older babies in the NICU as well as some younger children in therapy. I have been exploring different instruments with my son as well and watch to see how he handles them and reacts to them. I have a baby maraca that he can easily hold however I find that he just waves it back and forth and have to watch that he doesn’t whack himself in the face! I use music with my son to cue different activities like bath time (moderate but descriptive of action), good morning (calm, quiet, almost whisper), getting dressed (descriptive of action), play time (more up beat and fun) etc as well as to calm him (slow, lullabies). I think songs about baby and parent and baby’s body parts and activities of the day are all important.

[Kristen Crouch]

As music therapists we offer a lot to our community. Even though there are other types of music education programs for children and adults, we offer something unique, as we’ve discussed before. We look at the whole person, not just the education. We offer education, development, and wellness, all wrapped into one. We are offering a special music program to families through SM and looking at so many different aspects: the child’s development, social aspect for both parent and child, wellness for both parent and child, bonding for parent and child, coping for parent, and more. It is our approach to the whole person in all we do that makes us unique.

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