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I see community music therapy as connection. I wish I had a SM 1 provider during this stage with my children. It can be a lonely time and it would’ve been nice to connect with people who were currently going through it. Music is a natural way to bring people together, through movement and singing. It can create a sense of comradery between the parents and can offer a safe space for the parents to ask questions and receive validation from other participants.
May 4, 2023 at 2:40 pm
in reply to: What are the needs of the families and communities that you work with?
ParticipantThe needs of the families I work with are to provide normalizing and developmentally appropriate music experiences. They are seeking out opportunities for their child to feel connected and to socialize through their favorite thing- music. I am relatively new to the community I work in. Families have expressed that there is little to no opportunities for their child to engage in music at the moment. I think music is built to do exactly what is stated above- it can bring people together. It can be a vehicle to connect to one another, verbally and nonverbally.
ParticipantMusic therapists can use a unique tool, music, to create community and bring people together. We also provide a new or an additional way for parents to connect with their child. It’s an accessible tool- especially when using voice. I know I personally enjoy watching my youngest develop through music. It is exciting to see him learn and share with me. We can bring that connection through music to our families.
April 24, 2023 at 3:11 pm
in reply to: How have you used these four music experiences in your practice?
ParticipantI’m appreciative of the way the chapters lay out multiple musical milestones in each experience. It has given me considerations for how I may provide gentle pushes forward when I see a client between two stages. The videos have also provided validation in repetition. Sometimes I feel the pressure to reinvent the wheel every session. I have many new clients who are new to music therapy and the repetition is helpful, predictable. And while I can recognize this and state this, the videos provided validation in my choices.
ParticipantSinging
Awareness: make repeated sounds
Trust: repeat series of simple interval patterns
Independence: vocalize descending intervals and major 2nd
Control: sing two-word phrases using pitched intervals
Responsibility: sing 4-5 note phrasesPlaying
Awareness: tolerate sound of familiar instrument play
Trust: reach out to touch instrument
Independence: explore instrument with hands, feet, or mouth
Control: shake instruments in a variety of tempos
Responsibility: alternate hands to play shaking instrumentsMovement
Awareness: tolerate body parts being moved rhythmically
Trust: move entire body rhythmically in response to music
Independence: use body to rock our bounce rhythmically
Control: isolate body parts to move rhythmically (head, feet, etc.)
Responsibility: maintain independent movement in a group movement gameListening
Awareness: show pleasure toward music in the environment
Trust: display affect changes in response to emotional content of music
Independence: demonstrate musical preferences and dislikes
Control: tolerate change in music activity
Responsibility: transition from activity to activity within sessionParticipantI currently work in a predominately white community, with some individuals in a rural setting. The traditional songs range from classic lullabies such as Twinkle Twinkle to You are My Sunshine. Many parents of the children I see listen to Country Music and Classic Rock.
ParticipantI tried the song “Just Like Me” with my son tonight. He had a big smile as I sang and patiently waited during the rests. I could see the purposeful silences be used to increase attention as the child reaches the trust stage and looks toward us during periods of silence.
ParticipantI was able to work with an infant from awareness stage to trust stage. In awareness stage, she eye searched for me whenever I began to sing. She followed me to both the left and right side, eventually turning her head to find me. When she was in trust stage, I had her sitting on my lap with instruments placed in front of her. She independently reached for a plastic buffalo drum, resting her hands on the drumhead as I tapped.
Participant• Awareness
o Eyes will move toward the sound source
o Calm with familiar songs
o Repeat sounds• Trust
o Reach out to touch instruments
o Grasp instruments for brief amount of time
o When there is silence in the song, the child will toward the singer• Independence
o Imitate animal sounds
o Use whole hand to play keys on the piano
o Will move to reach sound source (walking, crawling, rolling)• Control
o Match specific pitches
o Sing spontaneous songs
o Start/stop instrument play in response to music• Responsibility
o Sing familiar songs while playing simple instrument
o Sing three-note phrases
o Maintain grasp on mallet to play an instrumentParticipantDue to past work, I have knowledge of infant behavior and parent bonding in the early stages. I also bring patience and acceptance of where everyone is in the given moment. I typically can go with the flow and feel I can adapt with change or the unexpected. I think the outline of development is helpful in anticipating what may happen (or not). I want each the child and caregiver to feel like they are in a safe, accepting place.
ParticipantThe takeaway I found most valuable was that we can reassure parents that “this is developmentally appropriate”. I know personallyI am often concerned about what my child may be doing- especially in relation to sharing or if they put something in their mouth. I’ve also had friends apologize for their child’s developmentally appropriate behavior. Supporting parents and saying, “actually, this is what is supposed to be happening” can be so reassuring and put the parent at ease.
ParticipantHi Kimberly- it is nice to meet you! Echoing above, I am also really interested in the family centered techniques!
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