[Mabel Ortiz]

It is difficult for me to answer some of these questions, as I don’t currently work with children. My work is with adults. However, I am making a point to emphasize the use of movement in my sessions, especially patients that are losing control of their movements or independence, as well as for sensory stimulation.

[Mabel Ortiz]

Although I have yet to work as a music therapist in early childhood, I can definitely relate to experiencing the Awareness developmental level with the infants I was responsible for when working as a caregiver at a preschool. I sang specific songs (slower tempo) to “announce” it was nap time, and to help them fall asleep. When I wanted to play with them, or during story time, I sometimes utilized more up-beat songs, that matched the activity that was occurring. As time went on, the babies got used to this “prompting.”

[Mabel Ortiz]

I work in hospice, and I mostly work with patients that are 70+. Therefore, I have yet to utilize these songs with children. However, I have utilized the “Good Morning To You” song when starting a session with my senior patients (often with Dementia). It aids in orienting my patients in time, if it is a morning visit.

[Mabel Ortiz]

I have yet to work in early childhood as a music therapist, but part of my plan is to provide services to one of the cities in the county I am living where 80% of the population are of Hispanic descent. I plan to translate songs in English to Spanish, and incorporate lullabies and children’s songs in Spanish to my classes.

[Mabel Ortiz]

I am very grateful that we went over the developmental stages (like others have said!). It was very refreshing to me to be reminded and learn about them, since I have not experience them first hand, since I am not a parent myself.I am glad that I have a point of reference.

[Mabel Ortiz]

Personally, a quality that I will bring to early childhood music therapy is the gentleness and tenderness that tends to be a characteristic of mine, and that has helped me to “build trust” and bond with the infants and little ones I have worked with previously. Also, as a music therapist, having the quality and have been trained to be compassionate and empathetic, I will bring the necessary empathetic understanding to learn and support parents with the challenges that come with rearing a child; which I have yet to know and experience myself as I have not yet become a parent.

[Mabel Ortiz]

Hello everyone!

My name is Mabel Ortiz, and I am going on my second year as a professional! I am originally from Puerto Rico, and I work as a music therapist in Hospice in Vero Beach, Florida. I do not work in early childhood, and my patients are mainly 55 years an older, but I have always been interested in working in early childhood, and I am definitely passionate about babies 🙂

There are only two music therapist serving in our county! Both of us working in hospice. So my goal is to reach this population of babies, infants, little ones, since there is a need for it. Looking forward to expand my knowledge to better serve this population!

[Author]

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