[Madeleine Landry]

Hi Jennifer- I like to tell parents that songs can take some time to catch on but it is SO fun to hear that the kids are singing the songs at home! So rewarding and fun to see that they’re taking away songs from the sessions!

[Madeleine Landry]

I would say that these are all interventions that I use in my practice! For instrument play, I like to try to incorporate listening and moving by engaging in play/stop and playing high/low. I love watching the anticipation and when the children are able to respond to models for high and low! I also enjoy introducing new instruments for listening experiences to explore new timbres!

[Madeleine Landry]

Maureen, I love seeing this happen! 🙂 It’s so fun when they start to feel more comfortable and really just enjoy themselves in the music!

[Madeleine Landry]

I had an instance where only one child showed up for a mommy and me group so I spent the time facilitating 1:1 bonding experiences for the parent and child. This child has been in the independence stage- which is so great because she was born 2 months early so mom has been concerned about meeting milestones- and she kept crawling off of her mat and came over to me with my guitar, used her knee to pull herself up and gave my guitar a strum with her little hand! It was a great moment and her mom has been awesome by bringing her to my class for a few months now!

[Madeleine Landry]

I LOVE the music that has been shared so far! I was able to use “Are you ready for music?” and “In My Little Hand” during my mommy and me class last week! Are you ready for music?- was a great attention grabber and I loved seeing the parents interact with their children as I introduced the instruments we’d be using during the class. I think the parents really enjoyed In My Little Hand as there is a familiar chord progression!

[Madeleine Landry]

Stephanie, I think it’s great to expose your children to a variety of music! It’s great to be able to share songs you love and grew up with to bond with your children- no matter how old they are!

[Madeleine Landry]

I was raised in a family where music was highly valued and my younger siblings and I all play a variety of instruments! For me, music has been a great outlet for self-expression and provided an opportunity to become self-disciplined and motivated. I moved from NE Ohio to SE Ohio, Cincinnati area and I would say that music preferences for working with young children and families are pretty similar. I would say that I have heard about more opportunities for families with young children to engage with music are more popular in SE Ohio! Traditional children’s songs have been well known in both NE and SE Ohio.

[Madeleine Landry]

When I lead early childhood groups, I like to make sure we’re having fun and the children and their parents get to experience new things together! I love facilitating bonding experiences between parents and children and seeing the expressions on their faces while this is happening. I like giving children the opportunity to play fun instruments during sessions and incorporating fun props during these experiences. I also want to make sure I create a relaxed environment and provide the children with time to explore the room and each other outside of the scheduled session time.

[Madeleine Landry]

Maura, I totally agree with you! If we’re not experiencing what they are in the moment, it can definitely take away from their session. I’m definitely guilty of this at times but our younger clients have their own ways of experiencing music and I think we can learn a lot from them.

[Madeleine Landry]

Skye- I totally agree that making sure we’re providing a safe environment is SO important! For me, I’m not always given the most ideal space for sessions sometimes (I’m sure others can relate) so this can be tough!

[Madeleine Landry]

I love the way the book that complements this course was written! It is extremely informative, it doesn’t feel like I’m reading something heavy and I enjoy reading it! My biggest takeaway from this week’s reading and videos is remembering to be as supportive as possible with new parents and reminding them of the important milestones their children are meeting! I had an instance while working with a baby who was born 2 months early and her mom was concerned that she wasn’t doing certain things yet- but there was still so much she was accomplishing! I think it’s important to be supportive during those times where children may not have met those milestones yet, being supportive but still keeping track of where they are developmentally and if they do not meet those milestones.

[Madeleine Landry]

Hi Skye, that’s awesome that your supervisor encouraged you to take this course! I will be the first employee in the company I work for to take this course!

[Madeleine Landry]

Hi Erika! Thanks for sharing about your practice! So glad to hear how much you’ve enjoyed this training!

[Madeleine Landry]

Hi everyone! My name is Madeleine Landry and I am a music therapist working in Cincinnati, OH and SE Indiana! I have been board certified since December 2017- so I am a relatively new professional. I started working at my current job in January with Keys for Success! I have worked with the early childhood population in multiple settings such as: Practicum, summer camps, on an individual basis in my current job, and in parent/child classes for little ones also in my current job! I took this course in order to expand my repertoire for early childhood, learn to incorporate some new instruments, and to learn more about parent/child bonding through music for the classes I teach for my job. I am so excited to learn more and meet other music therapists working in early childhood settings!

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