[Melaine Pohlman]

From here, I have great enthusiasm for using some new repertoire in my 1:1 sessions with my Early Intervention clients. I’m really committed to using more functional language in lyrics and being more intentional with parents as I work with them. As well, I have lots of questions to research and brainstorm on to see how SM can fit well in my community. I have a list of places/people to explore and connect with in the coming months. As well, I heed to take my private practice to the next level with more of a web presence. I will be in Boston the week of Thanksgiving and would welcome the chance to see some Sprouting Melodies classes in action. If that might be possible, let me know!

Thank you all for your time, thoughtful responses and insights! I look forward to connecting again. Meredith and Beth….you rock! ; ) Can’t thank you enough for your energy and enthusiasm for working with this population. It’s contagious!

[Melaine Pohlman]

From the clinical perspective, I’m excited about being more intentional with my music choices and the interactions I have with families. I want to work to mix up my “same old, same old” music choices that I fall back on with this population. As well, I’d like to research and brainstorm more about how SM can fit into my professional and personal world. I’ve begun to look into what else is offered in my area and saw three different early childhood music programs in our town’s Park District book this Fall. So, the question is, how do I sell something like SM and find a little niche for it. I’m still wrapping my mind around that! However, I have created a list of networks in the area that I think would be good to connect with to spread the word and share info about as I move forward.

[Melaine Pohlman]

Right now I’m on the fence as to whether or not to become a provider. On one hand, I’m totally in…it is clear to see the benefits of the framework and structure offered in SM. I also think that it could fit really well into our community, provided I can find the right little niche for it to “compete” with other early childhood music programs! ; ) The benefits of being a part of the support network would be many. As a private clinician I would love the additional feedback and interaction with others who are in similar clinical settings to myself. But I’m on the fence because I’m not sure my own personal life and schedule (as wife and Mom) will give me the flexibility and time to go after this completely with my whole self. I have to take some time to consider if I want to place my energies here (and move them from other areas of my current clinical work) or whether I can get SM up and going in our community in a smaller scale way. I’m aware of the many hats I wear and the limits we all have and want to be careful not to create something I can’t manage or sustain over time. Least to say…I’m conflicted! ; )

[Melaine Pohlman]

I agree that flexibility and our assertiveness in giving parents verbal reinforcement is key to helping everyone to be successful. But how you deliver the messages of redirection to a parent is just as important as what the message is. The positive spin (unless it is a safety issue) can make a greater impact rather than the negative spin. In the past I’ve always tried to point out the positive that is going on, even when a child might not be attending or participating fully or as a parent would expect. Flexibility and a willingness to adjust our dials (volume, tempo, timber, etc.) or even our session plan can make a difference. As always, we have to use our clinical skills to see what our clients need on that given day.

[Melaine Pohlman]

I really like Mary’s simple answer to parents! Sometimes we can all get caught up in too many words! I think an answer like this reminds parents that in this environment we’re not focusing on “therapy” and a targeted skill or result. Instead, through developmentally appropriate music such as Sprouting Melodies, we’re able to nurture, develop, enhance and reinforce the typical development that is already taking place in a natural setting.

[Melaine Pohlman]

I think regardless of what population we’re working with, it is likely that if we’re running a group we’re faced with the challenges of multiple ages, abilities, needs and even musical preferences. When thinking of this early childhood setting, one of the biggest challenges is song choice and making sure that any and all, regardless of level can be successful in the group. We have to ask ourselves (before the group) “How can I increase the intensity, responsibility and creativity for an older child with this particular song? And how can I dial it back to meet the needs of a younger child as well?” We have to keep things interesting; move them along so as not to bore older siblings, yet offer enough repetition to reinforce the development taking place in those at a younger age group. It is also important to have consistency from week to week but also build on the expanding skills of all the children in the group. And finally, it is important to give the parents the opportunity to be the one to nurture the children in the musical experiences, but it is also important to give older children the chance to “nurture” their siblings. This offers an increased sense of responsibility and leadership on their part as well as lets the parent show pride in what their older children can do. It sure makes for wonderful sibling bonding moments as well!

[Melaine Pohlman]

5 words: Sprouting Melodies 3: Moving!, Intentional, Creative, Structured and Loaded (with learning potential!)

Session Plan Sprouting Melodies 3:

Gathering Song: Sit Down With Me
Lap Song/Bonding: My Brand New Friends
Songs About Me: Where is the Music
Instrument Song: You play a Little
Movement Song: Jumping Up and Jumping Down
Goodbye: Time to Go and Thank you Very Much

5 words: Family Sprouts: Cooperative, Connective, Supportive, Busy and Inclusive

Session Plan Family Sprouts:

Gathering: Hey Everybody
Bonding: Wiggly Jiggly Car or Hold on Tight
Songs about Me: Watch Me Go
Instrument Songs: I Like this Song
Movement Songs: Marching with my Baby
Goodbye: Goodbye (and I like the Thank you part of if for this group, especially to say thanks to the older siblings who were helpers and leaders)

[Melaine Pohlman]

I think the key to this “how much stimulation” game is a in the moment clinical decision based on what you’re presented with. As musicians and clinicians we must be able to adjust our “dials,” (for volume, tempo, timbre, excitement, etc.) The SM 1 children require a lower amount of stimulation in general, yet within that group we might even find a variance in what is needed. For example a parent might need a bit more encouragement to participate and so we dial things back a bit to make the music making experience more successful for them. At the same time a little one might be ready for more as they get ready to age out of SM1 and move into SM2. I’m sure this variance exists in SM2 and SM3 as well and certainly in Family Sprouts. Again, our unique skill set…as clinicians and as musicians gives us the ability to tune in with each client within our group to meet their needs. Our professionalism gives us the ability to share our knowledge and reasoning for making the choices we do so help the families know that we have all of their individual needs and best interests in mind.

[Melaine Pohlman]

Some of my favorite instruments for the early childhood setting include: shortened rhythm sticks, djembes, the children’s tom tom drum, gathering drums, finger cymbals, small triangles with safety mallets (great for parent to hold and child to use), jingle bells (with Velcro), Chiquita maracas, rain sticks, ocean drums, long handled castinets and the tambourine that has the kaleidoscope head on it.

[Melaine Pohlman]

5 words: Playful, Energetic, Exploring, Motivating and Engaging:

5 Sentences:

*Notice how your little one is beginning to match the pitches and engage in the musical conversation with this song.

*Your child is watching you make musical choices and is doing the same. It’s okay if they have more than one shaker or shake in a different way.

*Your little one may appear not to be taking it all in since they aren’t singing, but I know they are taking it all in; I bet you’ll see the results of that when you’re at home!

* While your child still is looking to you as a safe and secure home base in our group it is great to see them exploring their environment a bit on their own as well!

* No worries that some children might not be “in” the circle all the time; we like to see them starting to explore this safe environment a bit.

Session Plan:

Gathering: Hey! Hey! Come and Play!

Lap Song/Bonding: Wiggly Jiggly Car (awesome song!)

Song About Me: Can You See Me

Instrument Songs: I Like this Song

Movement: March with my Baby Now

Goodbye: Goodbye

[Melaine Pohlman]

In a society with increased focus on wellness and more wellness based modalities of treatment Music Therapy has great potential to be a leader. As clinicians, we’re familiar with a broad range of diagnoses, disabilities and such. And while we can fine tune our work to address the symptoms and affects of these, we also have the ability and skill set to focus on the health of the whole person. We are able to promote health, wellness and even happiness through our modality of treatment. Specific to the area of early childhood, I think that as Music Therapists we have a very unique set of traits and skills that make us natural residents of the community based treatment setting. I find that even in some of the older adult facilities I work in the word “therapy” has a stigma. Those high functioning and very independent residents don’t want therapy, yet they totally embrace Music Therapy as a tool to maintain wellness. This is true for the early childhood environment as well. So many parents are seeking high quality services for their kids. Music Therapist offer that skill set to offer extremely high levels of music interaction as well as the child development background. As MTs I think we must be flexible to wrap our minds around this mentality.

[Melaine Pohlman]

5 Words: Nurturing, Non-threatening, Discovery, Supportive and Gentle

5 Sentences:

* Your baby is turning to the timbre of your voice; what a way to share the gift of your voice, a familiar, soothing and comforting sound to your baby!
* I notice your baby’s movements are becoming more purposeful and repetitive during the music.
*Your baby is actively making the choice to turn towards the music and reach out for to discover and explore the source of the sound.
*Your babies recognize this familiar tune and are anticipating what is coming next.
*Your little ones are playing and exploring instruments for longer periods of time.

Session plan: (I’m really embracing the notion that the repertoire for this age group can and should include more functional language, so I’m wanting to incorporate more songs like the ones written in “You and Me MaKes We” into my practice.)

Hello/Gathering: Good Morning

Lap Ride: Little Red Wagon

Instrument Play: In My Little Hand with shakers

Movement: As Big as Can Be

Cool Down: Just Like Me

Goodbye: Goodbye

[Melaine Pohlman]

One of the most rewarding experiences I have had with parent and young child groups came early in my career when I had the chance to provide weekly sessions for women and children living in a Domestic Violence shelter. While this was several years ago, this training has brought that experience to mind a great deal. Looking back, I’m struck at the impact their time in music had. It was a sacred space for them; a safe space, a space filled with bonding, nurturing and joy, too. What an honor it was to see these mothers and children bond, connect and interact in the musical environment. In many ways I’ve reflected on how many aspects of Sprouting Melodies facilitation skills discussed in this training were at work during my time with this group. The women were thirsting for positive reinforcement and reassurance that they were doing the best they could given their situation. They looked to me for confirmation that their children were growing well and in a healthy manner. In many ways I wish I could go back to that clinical situation and take some of the skills I’ve gained in my time as a clinician and through this course. It would enhance what I did in so many ways. I look forward to the opportunity to be a part of a similar situation again! This training has made me think about our own local domestic violence shelter and homeless shelter. Wouldn’t it be great to make a connection there!

[Melaine Pohlman]

I think the emphasis mentioned in earlier posts on the community and camaraderie within the music therapy profession is key to this question. We are unique in that we work towards a common goal and cause and often put aside any sense of “competition” among us to work together in collaboration as we meet the needs of our clients. I feel that as a profession we are willing to seek out resources and help when we need it if it will benefit our clients. As music therapists I think we also have a unique sense of compassion and a willingness to connect with all, regardless of their needs. Our professional musicianship, knowledge of human development and clinical knowledge (wrapped up with our own human-ness) allow us to be in the moment with our music as we adapt to those in our sessions. As well, we offer a broad base of knowledge that encompasses many areas so that our impact can be far and wide as we look at the whole picture a client presents.

[Melaine Pohlman]

I completely agree with many of the needs mentioned above! Parents have the desire to engage, bond and be involved. They are looking for knowledge and guidance as their children go through varying levels of development. In my EI work, sessions take place at home (a natural environment) and the families I work with have many needs. They often have multiple modalities of therapy coming into their environment on a regular basis and this can be stressful and/or overwhelming. I find that they are looking for a forum and a setting in which they can naturally and intentionally engage/play/interact with their kids while working on developmental goals. They seek a non-threatening, supportive and nurturing environment where their children will enjoy what is happening and not just see it as “work.” As well, I think that families seek out a chance to develop and nurture a life leisure skill.

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