[Lauren Stoner]

I meet up with music therapists in my community every quarter and I plan on following up with them about this program. I have already told them I began the training for this program and have encouraged them to do the same.

I think it is important to go out into the community, such as libraries. Promoting the program in fliers can be helpful, because it can be posted somewhere since you can’t be everywhere, but also the parents can refer back to them.

[Lauren Stoner]

I wanted to start by saying I enjoyed the conference call. It was nice to hear from other people going through this program and hear the passion from the whole group. It was also nice to put a voice to the people going through the program. Even if you were unable to make the conference call, I want to thank everyone who has gone through this process, I have really enjoyed reading your insightful comments and ideas. Many of them made me think of new ways to look at things. I would also like to take this time to thank Meredith, Beth, and Erika. I appreciate that this program is available and the knowledge that I have gained from this is irreplaceable.

“Where will you go from here? How will this training impact your work as a music therapist?”
This is an interesting question, because I feel like this course has already impacted my work as a music therapist and has opened my eyes to new ways to help and give to the community. I will miss the training, as I enjoyed learning the songs, being playful, and seeing things from the children’s point of view. However, this excitement and perspective will continue as I move forward in my work.

[Lauren Stoner]

I agree that planning is significant; however, I believe that knowledge of music, developmental levels, and music therapy will help to assure that each child can be successful especially when this information is shared with the parent and is applied when needed during the group. Consistent modeling of positive behavior for the child and appropriate interaction for the parent can also be helpful in making sure people are safe and successful.

[Lauren Stoner]

I am most looking forward to be able to provide opportunities for my community. I think it would be very rewarding to work with families and young children. This can be a very excited, exhausting, creative, and discovery part of life for families and to be a part of that journey would be a joy. While I am unsure when I will be able to start a program, I am happy to have been through this program as I feel this will be help me as I move forward. The key will be to step outside my comfort zone.

[Lauren Stoner]

I agree that a multi age group can be a challenge. However I think it can also be rewarding for the people that are there. The most important thing is to pull it all together and make sure each participant is able to engage at an appropriate level. Going in and acknowledging that the space is non judgmental and based on choices I think helps in bridging the gap.

[Lauren Stoner]

I view Sprouting Melodies as a way to help parents recognize and celebrate the natural development that can be seen through music experiences provided in the program. The program assists in highlighting and enhancing the skills developed in each natural stage within the session. This learning is also continued outside of the session, when parents or children use the songs/ interactions. I appreciated others thoughts on the topic. I think people, including music therapists, have a tendency to use these words interchangeably, which could be part of the reason it is difficult to differentiate.

[Lauren Stoner]

Sprouting melodies 3 in 5 words: creative, intentional, emotions, progression, personality. Sprouting Melodies 3 session: gathering- sit down and join my circle, bonding- my brand new friend, songs about me- watch me go, instrument song- I can move around, movement- the leaves go down, goodbye- Thank you very much.

Family Sprouts in 5 words: integrative, connection, joyful, busy, adaptable. Family sprouts session: gathering- the more we get together, bonding- jingle up, jingle down, songs about me- who’s that, instrument song- I like this song, movement- can you follow, goodbye-music time is over.

[Lauren Stoner]

Congratulations!

[Lauren Stoner]

I also want to add that music is a natural way to increase or decrease stimulation of the environment. Our own natural reactions- in being genuine and authentic in the musical expression will help to provide a homeostasis for the child and parent.

[Lauren Stoner]

I think as music therapists, this is an area that we know well. We do not want to overstimulate or under stimulate. By using live music and adapting to the needs in the moment, will have to maintain an appropriate level of stimulation. You can increase stimulation by adding dynamics, a different timbre, and variation in meter if most children are finding stimulation other places (outside of the circle). If there is too much stimulation, the child could become overwhelmed and confused so providing more grounding can be important.

[Lauren Stoner]

I like what you were saying about having ideas on the website that would be appropriate for this age group. I prefer Remo as I feel they are sturdy and still have a good quality sound.

[Lauren Stoner]

5 Words to describe SM2: (anticipated) surprise, active, observation, variety, playful

5 things to tell caregiver about musical responses: 1) “It is okay if they want to hide/twirl/dance off to the side; they will come back to you and back to the music.”; 2) “You want to encourage your baby to step with the bottom of their foot to organize and ground them.”; 3) “Your child might not be able to clap right now, but the position of your body can help them be successful.”; 4) “It is okay if they are not singing/ playing right now; they are still taking things in and processing.” 5) “It is okay if your child is not shaking based on the direction; they are making a musical choice.”

Gathering- Hey, Hey Came and Play (EKS); Bonding- Hold on Tight (EKS); Songs about me- That all makes up me (EKS); Instrument song-Shake Five (EKS); Movement- March with my Baby (MRP); Goodbye Song- Goodbye (MRP); Thank you very much (EKS)

[Lauren Stoner]

5 words: inclusive, open, bonding, reassuring, comforting

5 Things to tell parents/ caregivers: 1) Your voice is the one they recognize, sing along, they aren’t judging your voice and neither are we. 2) It is good to interact with your baby during the music experience, tapping a steady rhythm, or touching them for the hello song this helps with bonding and trust. 3) It is okay how your baby responds to music. 4) Notice your baby’s body language, they may prefer standing or sitting. 5) A softer more calm voice while singing may be better at this stage, but if they begin to get fussy you can increase the tempo.

Session: Hello Song; Bonding- “Just like me”; Songs about Me- “Where is my face”; Instrument Songs- On the drum (an original song); Movement Songs- “I can move around”; Goodbye Song

[Lauren Stoner]

This is an interesting discussion, and one that certainly needs to be discussed more in our field.
In working with people, I think that while I am not implicitly providing music therapy to the community, I am offering a service to the community. Looking at the example in the broadest sense- we are all interdependent. For example: If someone that I am working with in a clinical setting improves in an area of communication. They then leave and able to interact more effectively in their interpersonal relationships with friends and family. The improved interaction can lead to improved relationship development. The new relationship can effect the people the client interacts with and then the people in the client’s life exhibit new perspective, emotion, or behavior, which in turn affects their relationships or interactions (maybe due to decreased stress or improved outlook).
However the reverse can be true- through a community facilitated intervention (such as a drum circle) provided by a music therapist. While the music therapist is not attending to the clinical standards of practice, they are using their skills to improve health and wellness of the community. This can also spark interest in more directive clinically based music therapy services or even aid in advocacy.
But this is just one person’s opinion and this discussion could go on and on.

[Lauren Stoner]

I also have not had much experience in work related experiences with clients this young. However, I believe that I carry my music therapy hat around with me when I interact with others, especially my nephew. Like Erin said, a natural stimuli is singing and this can be very beneficial to promote trust and decrease confusion. My parents decided to adopt a song as their own, after I sang it to my nephew for Easter. “Do your ears hang low” is now their song. As my nephew got older, the repetition of this song and how they sing it to my nephew helped establish a bond even though they are far away. Even if my nephew has not seen them for a while and gets confused as to who they are, after the song is sung he is smiling and giggling and the connection is redeveloped. I also find ways to establish connection to my nephew through the music experiences we have together. Almost like a smell or taste which is said to have the best remembrance, I think a song can help to provide that connection and trust. I am not sure that I answered this particular question, but I wanted to share this with you all.

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