[Laura Micheli]

It’s been really great to hear about each developmental level again. I find myself thinking of the sprouting melodies groups that I run and the children and families I work with and what stage each child is in. In my work I have a great opportunity to watch children grow from awareness to trust to independence and to control. I have 2 children in my family sprouts group that I am currently running who were particularly quiet and shy in the beginning. After about 2 weeks they both explored the music room, and other peers. Then they started choosing to explore the corner of the room where they can’t see about half of the room and their parents couldn’t see them from where they were sitting either. After a few seconds of smiling and laughing in the corner they would run over to their parents for a big hug. In later weeks they started taking their maracas or scarves to the corner to play independently. They would participate in hand clapping, knee patting, etc independently as well. They moved from awareness to trust to independence in a few weeks! It’s really amazing to watch each child grow and to be able to share with the families what their child is experiencing and learning.

[Laura Micheli]

I believe I bring music to my early childhood groups, as well as my genuine self as most of us have already stated. I feel that I am able to build great rapport with the families that I work with, and I think this is important, especially in family based music therapy. I feel that it’s important for me to connect with the child and their caregivers so I can help support the whole family. It’s important for me to be able to connect with the caregivers in order to successfully share information about their child with them and recieve information from them about thier child. I also believe I bring fun to my sessions! There has to be fun for the children to play, explore, and ultimatly grow!

[Laura Micheli]

This week’s videos were very informative and wonderfully presented! The key take aways I have are the discussion of red flags, the tips to share with families, and the ability to encourage parents and caregivers to experience the childlike behaviors in group such as jumping. I feel that understanding development is so important not only in my work with young children, but also in my work with children, adolescents, and adults with developmental disabilities. I liked how Beth described the red flags but also made it clear that children develop certain skills when they’re ready; such as toilet training. It’s really good for me to know what could not only be affecting the child such as teething, but also how this developmental mile stone is effecting the parents and caregivers. Because then I can help alleviate some of the stress families feel during these times. It’s important for me to bring new ideas and tips to families because they are looking at me as a reliable resource on their child’s development. I often ask parents to join in the experiences, but to explain to them that it is not only beneficial for their child to see them jumping, for example, it’s also beneficial for them to actually experience what their child is experiencing in this play. I can’t wait for the next video!

[Laura Micheli]

Hello Everyone,

 

I posted my response to the forum board before I realized everyone posted here. So here it is again with some additions:

My Background:

I have been a board certified music therapist for almost a year and a half. I have my masters in music therapy and mental health counseling from Lesley University. My first year internship was at a long-term care facility working with individuals and groups on the long term care unit and the rehabilitation unit. My second year internship was at EMARC- an agency working with children with developmental disabilities and their families. I ran family based groups as well as adolescent and adult groups. I also worked with individuals and their families in their homes. I received my bachelor’s degree from Salem State College in music with a minor in psychology.

I am currently working at Roman Music Therapy Services, LLC. I work with a variety of individuals and groups from all ages and ability levels. I provide Sprouting Melodies on Friday’s and Saturday’s at RMTS for a total of 4 groups a week. I run Sprouting Melodies 3 and 2 on Friday’s, and Family Sprouts and Sprouting Melodies 1 & 2 (as a joint group) on Saturday’s. My work also involves working in schools, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, day habilitation programs, and group homes.

I expect to continue to learn new skills and tools to integrate into my current work. This is a great refresher for me and I appreciate the information and music!

[Author]

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