[Leigh Ann Walberg]

I will immediately (and already have) begin sharing the developmental levels with the teachers and aides I work with each week. I do plan to sit down and discuss with our administrator what I learned and see what the options are for possible programming for the next academic year. I will also suggest this CMTE to any MT looking for more online credits!! I think this was excellent training for all MT’s even if they aren’t specifically early child hood.

[Leigh Ann Walberg]

I have absolutely loved this course and have already started using what I learn in my pre-school classes I work with each week. I also purchased the songbook and look forward to digging into that, and adapting my music sessions slowly to come more in line with the childrens developmental levels. I hope to see more training by Meredith and Beth, as it is one of the best CMTE’s I’ve ever taken.

[Leigh Ann Walberg]

One strategy I have used for those harder to engaged pre-schoolers…if they are only engaged if they are playing with one particular instrument or a prop like a scarf, I will let them have that earlier in the session or keep it longer to encourage their participation. I find usually after trying this a couple times that they become more engaged in other parts of the session.

[Leigh Ann Walberg]

I have loved the training and all the wisdom on the growth levels and all the new music, I ordered the songbook and can’t wait to dig in when it comes. At this point in my life, I have no desire to start a business, but would love to lead groups if someone else in my area has begun a practice and need someone else on board. I love the leading group part, I love all the Sprouting Melodies provides to make that a national name and make it so easy in some ways…I don’t want to start back at the beginning and find the families. My personality does not enjoy the business side of the work as much.

[Leigh Ann Walberg]

We will be working on ways to help them grow developmentally, we will not be working on music skills specifically.

[Leigh Ann Walberg]

5 Words for SM 3: Learning, Growing, Personality, Tantrums, Push and Pull
5 Words for Family Sprouts: Bonding, joint play, joyful, individuality, cooperation

SM3 Plan: Gathering: Sit Down with Me and then Gather Round with hands/knees/feet, Sing My Brand New Friends and use scarves, have them find “new” friends in circle, Introduce a book like Hand Hand Fingers Thumb and do with a chant and teach them repeated line, You play a little as therapist walks around with drum, The Leaves Go Down with scarves, Goodbye song

Family Spouts Plan: Hey Everybody to gather them, Hold On Tight, All of This is Me, You and Me Makes…We with sibling, I can move around and end with goodbye song

[Leigh Ann Walberg]

The main challenge in a multi-age group is to incorporate everyone since you can have children from 0-5. You need to choose your music carefully and be ready for any age. It is harder to focus on the babies when the older children are so active so don’t forget the babies. You also need to choose music that will include all ages, and that everyone will enjoy, so music planning is a bit harder.

[Leigh Ann Walberg]

I agree with Jessica and Natalie. One thought that came to mind, since I do think it can vary a lot from child to child, is if you have a child that is startling a lot throughout, that is probably one sign of too much stimulation. My thought is too you don’t want to music super loud but at a comfortable level.

[Leigh Ann Walberg]

I have not worked with this age group yet, but when I’ve ordered for the toddlers I work with, I usually order from West Music and like their selection of instruments for the young. I did find it interesting, that jumbo chiquitas, vs. regular chiquitas work best.

[Leigh Ann Walberg]

Five Words: Exploration, Surprise, Observation, Playful, Startle

5 Sentences: Children at this age will still startle easily and often scared by lack of authenticity. Start working with your child to face outward on your lap during a session, rather than facing you. This is the age where they will start developing a sense of security. It is ok if they wander a bit and don’t stay right in the circle. When jumping with them, or doing anything with the feet, make sure their flat feet hit the floor for better input, not their heels.

SM2 Plan: Gathering/Greeting-Hey!Hey! Come and Play!
Bonding: Wiggly Jiggly Car–therapist have some time with some of the children on her lap to help with trust and give time to assess
Songs About Me: Can You See Me? and Just Like Me
Instrument Songs: Sit with Me and Shake–do this several times, playing with the Stop!, different speeds and high and low
Movement Songs: March with my Baby
Goodbye-Goodbye song and then end with Thank you very much and have the older children start to walk around and interact/shake hands with other children/parents

[Leigh Ann Walberg]

I too agree with the wording used in Meredith and Beth’s discussion. Advertising Music Therapy in the community is going to leave a lot of parents out, as they will not think their child needs therapy. But, with the therapist being called a Music Therapist, they are going to think they got a bonus for their class fee. They will enjoy the educational opportunities they receive for their money, besides the music time with their children, and they will most likely feel there is some safety in sharing any developmental concerns with this therapist. For those children that might need more early intervention, this is a safe place to learn that.

[Leigh Ann Walberg]

Five Words: Sensory Stimulation, encouragement, quiet, startle reflex, welcoming
Five sentences: It is important to be 12-18″ from the child for their best vision. Startle reflex is normal for this age of development, start taking notice of when they startle. When singing to them, use open palm, not pointing finger so you don’t scare them. We will keep the music quiet and calm, this will help with startle reflex also. Children this age will usually respond better to a calm affect, vs. a lot of emotions in the face.
SM 1 Session: Gathering/Greeting time and open with Hello Song and Today’s a Beautiful Day. Bonding Song:; Row it Faster
Songs about Me: Just Like Me, Instrument Song: In My Little Hand, using the baby maracas. Movement Song: As Big as Can Be, allowing child to stand, or tossing when appropriate. End with Goodbye song.

[Leigh Ann Walberg]

I have not worked professionally with this young of child. I have a daughter of my own, so did go through it with her and really enjoyed this stage, to see that blossoming awareness was fun.

[Leigh Ann Walberg]

Though I work with children right now, I do not get to work with the families. I do hope to bring this possibility up to my school to see if that option is there. Because I work with at risk kids the special spouts or the sprouting sibs might bring the most interest. I believe most of these parents are feeling overwhelmed due to the delays and their lack of knowledge, so I think the information I could bring them on developmental order and just the ability to see their kids interacting with siblings and the parents would be a huge benefit. I have not looked into the needs of my particular community to know much about that. Since my daughter is a teen, most of the people I know in the area where I live have older kids also.

[Leigh Ann Walberg]

We have the training that many do not, we have information to share on their children’s development. We are a fun way to spend time with and learn about their children.

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