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My Take Aways – Expanded my knowledge regarding early childhood development, enhanced my skills in assessment with this age group and gained a better understanding of musical assessment for this age group!
This course has helped me to expand my repertoire, to gain new ideas in regards to the ways I structure groups and also has helped me to feel more confident with advocating for the benefits and research behind age-specific groups!
I’ve already told the MTs I work with about this training and i look forward to sharing the tools I learned from this with the patients / families I work with!
ParticipantAgreeing with what others shared, I’ve found that simple, direct language is often helpful, as well as modeling what I want the children / caregivers to do – whether it’s demonstrated musically, verbally or a combination of both, depending on the circumstance.
I appreciate what Elizabeth had shared in the videos in regards to proximity, as well as what Meredith mentioned in regards to having a chair on wheels! I had recently started using a stool on wheels for the first time a few months ago in my groups and honestly found it to be life changing! It has made such a difference to more easily be able to check in with kids quickly in different places in the room, in a way that still allows me to look accessible to the group as a whole.
When I think about strategies to help kids be successful, I also naturally think about strategies that I’ve used to help caregivers feel empowered and successful as well. As I’ve mentioned in some of my other posts, often the caregivers I’m working with are very overwhelmed and this group may be one of the few, if not the only opportunity, to connect with their child in a way that feels “normal’ and “non-medical.” Even though the experience is designed to be comforting, caregivers in the medical setting understandably can still feel intimidated sometimes or apprehensive of how to interact with their medically fragile baby. I’ve found it helpful to invite caregivers to participate to the level they feel comfortable, while modeling, encouraging and providing tips of ways they can engage.
ParticipantEchoing and agreeing with the sentiments other shared, I have found myself feeling refreshed and excited to have new repertoire, as well as ideas, to bring into sessions – whether that is in a group setting or even in some of my individual sessions at bedside! I’m in the process of learning more of the songs more intentionally and also feel grateful to have been able to develop a deeper understanding of developmental levels / musical behaviors within each. It may sound silly, but the concept of “lap songs” is not something I was necessarily thinking about as a focus initially, as the medical equipment of my patients may limit ability to engage in this way. However, I’ve been so inspired by them and have been thinking of ways to adapt them as needed to still help emulate that experience for bonding.
I honestly loved this course and would recommend it to any music therapist! Thank you so much for the opportunity and for sharing these incredible resources!
ParticipantMaura, that’s so exciting! Good luck with it! I’m sure it will be wonderful!
ParticipantI would explain that while many music groups tend to follow a curriculum, I am assessing the developmental needs / responses in the moment. Throughout the process, I would explain that I am always intentionally adapting the music experience on the spot to meet the individual, as well as group needs.
ParticipantOne of the first things I noticed when starting my current job was that the groups are often mixed ages of a very wide age range, which definitely has many challenges. For me, the biggest challenge is navigating different developmental levels, different musical preferences / ways of responding and finding the balance of attending to individual needs, while also still supporting the group in a cohesive way. As mentioned in the video / PDFs from this week, I agree that multi-age groups can often feel very chaotic at times.
Participant5 Words to Describe Family Sprouts:
Joyful, Collaborative, Chaotic, Shared, IndividualizedSession Plan:
Gathering / Welcome Song – Come On Let’s Make Some MusicBonding Song – Train Ride (I’d probably do it as a lap ride song in my work setting, as my patients have extensive medical equipment that would make it difficult to move around the room in the way demonstrated in video, although I loved that idea if working with a more mobile group!)
Instrument Play – In My Little Hand
Movement Song – I Can Move Around (would adapt / encourage movement in place if medical equipment limits more significant movement)
Song About Me – Just Like Me
Goodbye Song (Music Time Is Done)
Participant5 Words To Describe Music Experiences in Sprouting Melodies:
Active, Choices, Exploratory, Playful, MovementSession Plan:
Gathering Song – Gather RoundBonding / Lap Ride – Hold On Tight
Instrument Song – You Play A Little
Movement Song – I Can Move Around
Song About Me – Can You See Me
Goodbye Song
ParticipantMaura and Camryn, I can really relate with what you brought up in regards to groups being run in a space with toys! At CHOP, our groups take place in a play room and it’s been one of the biggest challenges, as the room is filled with toys everywhere, a fish tank, bright lights, etc!
ParticipantCamryn, I really like the suggestion of dimming lights for the cool down period – would like to try! The group I run at base-line is already pretty stimulating because the sounds of the medical equipment is incredibly noisy when children move! Anything to try to reduce unnecessary stimulation would be welcomed – thanks for the idea!
ParticipantI surprisingly am not currently using the gathering drum – would like to try it!
ParticipantI’m curious to hear others responses to this, as I’m always interested in what others are using. As of right now, we order most of our instruments from West Music and have a lot of Nino Percussion / Remo Instruments. We can’t use anything that is wood unless it has a special lacquer on it, as an Infection, Prevention & Control policy at my work in regards to cleaning. I frequently use the baby ocean drums, baby rain sticks, shakers that have handles kids can grasp, drums, baby tambourines, etc. In terms of facilitating, I typically use my voice / guitar, however, watching the videos inspired me to do more with just voice or voice / a drum.
I actually haven’t used scarves in my groups at work (just independently when I’ve done music at birthday parties etc) for infection control. However, our dance / movement therapist does and watching the videos this week inspired me to ask her how she cleans them in the hospital setting between patients, as I’d like to start incorporating!
ParticipantAlso, for some reason, my post to the other question wasn’t showing up on my screen on that forum. Trying to copy it here:
Five Words to Describe The Music Experiences in Sprouting Melodies 2: Exploratory, Playful, Surprise, Curiosity, Interactive
Five Sentences: 1. Sprouting Melodies 2 provides an opportunity for you and your child to explore the environment together through music. 2. As the ages in this group vary from 6 months – 18 months, you may see a range of different mobility levels and interaction levels, which is totally okay and to be anticipated. 3. You’ll notice that I am including a lot of repetition and elements of surprise to help foster curiosity, as children at this age are really seeking more sensory input then previously. 4. I invite you to follow your child’s lead with how they chose to explore and at times they may even be a bit more independent through turning towards others. 5. These moments of independence are totally okay and allows children opportunities to start to form other social connections, which is great!
Session Plan:
Come and Sit With Me & Hello Song – Gathering Songs
Wiggly Jiggly Car & Tickle Song – Bonding Songs
Just Like Me – Songs About Me
Come and Shake With Me – Instrument Play
I Can Move Around & Row Your Boat A Little Bit Faster with Scarves – Movement Songs
Goodbye Song (with voice / guitar)
ParticipantI think finding the right balance of stimulation can take a bit of trial / error and watching very attentively to the cues of people in your group, as the responses will vary. However, overall, for this age group, I generally think enough stimulation and types of experiences, with subtle elements of surprise (as demonstrated in the videos) is important to help foster curiosity to engage / explore. However, as explored in the content from this week, it is also important to be careful not to overwhelm children with drastic varying dynamics / over-exaggerated elements of surprise, or jumping from one thing to the next without repetition, too quickly. For example, if children are crying in response to the experience or exhibiting demeanors / expressions that indicate fear, I would dial everything back a bit / tone it down to be a bit gentler until children (and caregivers) are indicating a readiness to engage in that way.
ParticipantMaura and Camryn, I love both of the ideas you shared, as well as some of the language you’d use with patients! Particularly loved the emphasis on reminding caregivers this experience is for them too. Camryn, I appreciated the reminder to let caregivers know that songs may be repeated / why.
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