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I live in an area with many young families, and the only other provider of early childhood music classes in my county is a Kindermusik company that I used to work for. I know that there are many families who are not served by the Kindermusik classes, and many working parents whose children are in daycare during the class offerings. I hope to start some classes in daycares and some on the weekends to provide music class options for those families!
ParticipantThis class has reinforced my knowledge of child development, given me some fantastic musical resources and an easy-to-follow structure for class planning, and most of all has given me the confidence and encouragement I need to start Sprouting Melodies classes in the community and grow my private practice. I hope to be running Sprouting Melodies classes starting this summer!
March 15, 2015 at 8:19 pm
in reply to: How are you planning on sharing this information with colleagues, administrators and families?
ParticipantI have been invited to present to my daycare provider’s Child Development Associate classes, which will reach potentially 80 people who work in daycares. This class has given me the tools and confidence to talk to them about how they can use music more effectively with children, and how their daycares would benefit from music classes! Has anyone provided Sprouting Melodies in daycare settings without parents present? As a full-time working mother, I know that I have not had time during my daughter’s first year of life to get her into any early childhood classes, which has led me to want to focus on providing these experiences in daycares. I’d love to hear about anyone else’s experience with this.
ParticipantI agree that taking a moment to center yourself before a group begins is vital to being present during the class. Beth, thanks for pointing out that being present and responding to the needs of the group is unique to music therapists. While other music educators might also respond to the needs of the group in some ways, they do focus on teaching what they planned to teach, whereas a music therapist has the ability to create a whole new plan on the spot if it would be better for the group. This is one of the reasons I was ready to stop teaching Kindermusik – I didn’t like feeling like I needed to stick to a plan because that’s what was in the book.
ParticipantOne of the reasons I took this class is that my work at the hospital is often very emotionally heavy. I am looking forward to the joy Sprouting Melodies classes will add to my work that will nourish me and allow me to continue to work with people in crisis as well. As a new mom, I also find myself motivated to support other people in the early stages of parenthood, and to support wellness in the lives of families. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know all of you on this forum and hearing your stories!
ParticipantThere are some challenges that come along with having multiple age groups in one class, but I think that these types of groups can be so much fun, too! In the hospital setting, I hardly ever get multiple kids in the same space who are the same developmental level, so I always have to adapt to whatever responses I see. I often ask the older kids to “help” me with the babies. For example, if a baby appears overstimulated, I might flat out say, “It looks like the babies would like a quieter song next! Does anyone have an idea of a lullaby we could sing for them?” Then the bigger kids can help sing “Twinkle Twinkle” or whatever they suggest. Big kids often love to be in charge and show off their big brother/big sister skills! Another thing we could do is do an active movement activity, but challenge the kids to do it quietly. Maybe tip-toeing, or super quiet marching, or making big sighing blowing sounds and swaying like the wind is blowing you.
March 10, 2015 at 11:01 am
in reply to: Use 5 words to describe the music experiences in Sprouting Melodies 3.
ParticipantSprouting Melodies 3: active, personality, expression, creative, social
Family Sprouts: joyful, love, individuality, sharing, bonding
Sprouting Melodies 3: Hello Everybody, My Brand New Friend, Where Is The Music?, I Like This Song, Will You Come, Thank You Very Much.
Family Sprouts: I’m Glad You’re Here Today, Wiggly Jiggly Car, all of This Is Me, Dancing in the Middle, I Can Move Around, Music Time is Over
P.S. I love all of these original songs, Beth! Thank you so much for sharing them with us!
March 10, 2015 at 10:55 am
in reply to: Share how you can explain to parents the difference between music for development and music for skill building.
ParticipantI believe that all children are inherently musical, and can begin to learn basic musical concepts just by being in a musical environment in which they are free to express and explore. Although the focus of Sprouting Melodies classes is on supporting development through musical interaction, I think it’s ok to tell parents that the children will learn basic musical concepts in these classes too, especially if that’s what a parent is interested in. Children in Sprouting Melodies classes will hear and experience many different types of music, and through the music experiences they will improve their social, motor, and communication skills, while also learning how to appropriately express ideas and emotions.
ParticipantI agree, the answer to this question will vary from group to group, and child to child. Good thing we all have assessment skills and the ability to adapt our plans in the moment! If the group gets overstimulated during the instrument song it might be time to go back to a bonding song, or just listen to the MT play a familiar lullaby on guitar while everyone rocks back and forth. And I agree with Kristina – let’s remember to tell the parents why we made the choices we made!
ParticipantI often use instruments from the Hohner Kids Baby Band. I also love the Remo Radiant tambourine, which kids this age love to stare at, smack, and gently poke at the jingles. Another favorite is the Remo Kids Make Music Ocean Disc, with it’s shiny beads inside. Oh, and one bell jingles and jumbo egg shakers. It is so much fun to watch kids this age explore instruments!
February 24, 2015 at 9:41 pm
in reply to: Use 5 words to describe the music experiences in Sprouting Melodies 2.
Participant5 Words: surprise, move, personality, active, independent
5 Sentences for Parents: “It’s ok if she doesn’t follow the directions!” “Look what this baby is doing. Let’s all bounce like her!” “She can hold on to as many shakers as she wants.” “I love to hear all of the parents singing!” “It’s ok if your baby crawls away from you. She’ll come back!”
Session plan: Greeting time prior to the session. Gathering: “Hey! Hey! Come and Play!” Bonding song: “Hold On Tight.” Song about me: “Just Like Me.” Instrument song: “Sit With Me And Shake.” Movement song: “March With My Baby.” Goodbye: “Thank You Very Much.”
February 24, 2015 at 9:32 pm
in reply to: Share your thoughts with the board members on the role of music therapy in community based settings.
ParticipantI agree with the posts above! I especially agree with Melissa when she said that our training as music therapists allows us the flexibility to create specific groups based on the need in the community, and that we can be so inclusive in our classes. I don’t mind using the term “classes” for early childhood classes, as long as I continue to refer to myself as the music therapist. I’m wondering if anyone has had many individual music therapy clients come out of their work in early childhood classes. Does this have the potential to increase our caseloads of individual MT clients?
February 24, 2015 at 9:25 pm
in reply to: Share some of your experiences with children of this age and level.
ParticipantGreat to read all of your posts! Congrats on your pregnancy, Jamie! I have had a lot of experience with this age group professionally, both when I taught Kindermusik and through my current work as a MT-BC in a hospital setting. However, all I could think about during this week’s training was my daughter, who is almost 10 months old. I still feel like she’s my little baby, but there’s no way she would sit through a Sprouting Melodies 1 class! She is all over the place and super independent. I remember what it was like to be a mom of a 0-6 month old, though, and I would have really benefited from a class like this. I almost feel like the level 1 classes are more for the parents than the babies. The emotions from new parenthood are overwhelming, and I don’t think any parents feel like they know what they’re doing. Parents need reassurance, guidance, and love. At the hospital I work with infants to decrease pain, increase positive social engagement, decrease agitation, and promote tolerance to stimuli, but when parents are present my main goal is to empower and support them. I can only be there for the patient a brief time, but the parents will always be there!
February 24, 2015 at 9:16 pm
in reply to: Use 5 words to describe the music experiences in Sprouting Melodies 1.
ParticipantHi everyone! Sorry I’m behind as well. I loved reading all of your responses! Here are my ideas:
5 words to describe Sprouting Melodies 1: gentle, bonding, repetition, encouraging, loving
5 sentences for parents: “I can tell you and your baby have a strong bond! Look at how she is responding to your voice!” “There is no wrong way to participate in this class. Each baby is a unique little person and will respond best to different types of stimulation.” “Let’s try that song again, but this time, hold your baby in a different position.” “Great job, parents! I love to hear you sing, and so do the babies!” “Look at your baby gazing at you. I can tell he loves you so very much.”
Session plan: Begin with greeting time prior to the start of class. Hello: “Good Morning” (I love the sweeping melody of this one!). Bonding song: “Row It Faster” (I bet parents will be inclined to sing along since they will recognize part of it). Song about me: “Where is My Face?” Instrument song: “In My Little Hand” (This one is so adorable. I plan to use it at work tomorrow with some of my hospitalized infants). Movement song: “As Big As Can Be.” Goodbye song.
February 11, 2015 at 6:11 pm
in reply to: What value do music therapists bring to families of young children?
ParticipantI just recently had a conversation with the director of a Kindermusik company I used to work for while I was a student, and I was reminded of the vast difference between the education and experience it takes to be a Kindermusik teacher vs. a MT-BC. I think the Kindermusik curriculum is fantastic in many ways, and there are wonderful Kindermusik teachers out there, but when it comes down to it they just don’t have the training that a music therapist does to respond in the moment to each child’s needs. Music therapists can come into a group with a plan and change it completely on the fly because of the needs of the group. Music therapists can also provide more in depth support to the family unit. I don’t mean to talk badly about Kindermusik at all – it’s just very different from an early childhood group run by a music therapist.
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