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Keymaster
I was able to write some stories of children moving through the levels in the 2011 book “Developments in Music Therapy Practice: Case Study Perspectives” edited by Meadows and available through Barcelona Publishers. The chapter is called “Growing Up In Music”. Check it out if you can.
KeymasterThank you to all for examining this issue in terms of your practice and also your place as a music therapist in the community. One thing we want to encourage through http://www.RaisingHarmony is song sharing. We have so much to give each other! Cindy, we also have a large Polish population here on Long Island, many of whom speak little to no English. It is so touching to see how the parents and grandparents try so hard to learn English, and how grateful they are when I try and incorporate a word or two of their language in the music.
KeymasterI love you idea of taking time to ‘get ready’ before each session. I am from the Nordoff/Robbins tradition, and Paul Nordoff would actually meditate about the children before the sessions began.
KeymasterThe voice is key in early childhood work…and I am so glad that you both enjoy working that way. It is also a musical skill that all grownups working with children can do and so the songs can become part of the school or family environment.
KeymasterWhat beautiful stories! Thank you.
Leigh, I often point out to other early childhood professionals that very little children can recognize and imitate pitch long before they formulate words!The important thing to remember about the developmental levels, is that children (or students) should be always moving from one level to the next. Development is dynamic. Our goals center on providing opportunities in which movement from one level to the next can happen. Sometimes, though, the disability is too great for vertical movement. Then we look to expand the level horizontally by providing as many experiences in as many different ways within that level as we can.
KeymasterThank you for your honesty in posting on this topic. I have found that it can be challenging to identify and incorporate all the different musical styles and preferences heard within a community. What I like to do is to listen more for the unique musical elements used (such as lush harmonies or particular meters) and bring some of that ‘sound’ to the songs I create for my groups. For instance, you might hear some rap influence in the syncopated chants that we did. Meredith’s newest Cd (composed and recorded by her and her staff) include some songs that are definitely “Country” inspired.
In my own area, we have some groups that are like the United Nations! My job is to find the unifying musical qualities that everyone can respect and respond to.
(You might want to look at the new blog on http://www.RaisingHarmony.com on magical musical moments.)KeymasterOne technique that music therapists know so well is how to pace a session for sustained engagement. When the focus is on the child and family rather than the next music activity, the time has a natural ‘flow’.
KeymasterThanks, Stacey. Glad the songs have been helpful. Would you mind sharing “Purple Alligator” with the rest of the group?
It is not a song I am familiar with.KeymasterI like your image of music as a vessel to encourage growth. It speaks to music as a natural human action that is part of who we are.
KeymasterJust a reminder, Lisa. Next week, please try to post in the topics that are already created. It makes it easier to keep up with everything and comment on each other’s posts. You can read the thread that I start and at the bottom, type your comment in the box. Thanks!
KeymasterGlad you mentioned Erikson’s work, Lisa. I took a look at many of the developmental theorists when I was putting this framework together.
Did you get a copy of “Music, Therapy and Early Childhood”?January 23, 2013 at 8:54 pm
in reply to: What was your most valuable takeaway from this weeks’ content?
KeymasterThanks for this great discussion. Robin, we will be looking at groupings in the coming weeks. Later on we will spend quite a bit of time on how to assure success for each child.
I am glad that the checklists and words have been helpful. One thing we give our Sprouting Melodies Providers is an extensive list of “Sprouting Melodies Sayings” – short quotes for parents that are simple to understand and quick to share. You will hear more about that in the coming weeks.
KeymasterWhat a wonderful wealth of experiences! So many of you talked about finding the ‘child’ inside you as you try to connect with young kids. Some of you also spoke about the real issue of encouraging parents to ‘be with’ their child to make music. I do find that explaining to parents the importance of play in their child’s development goes a long way in getting them to join in the music. This is often hard in our current educational climate. Sometimes I find that parents are looking for permission from us to enjoy. We can share with families that learning, and growing and having fun can and do happen at the same time in music.
There are also cultural considerations that we need to respect as some of you pointed out. Again, when I am clear about working toward an outcome of overall development rather than specific skills, most of my parents are able to relax and see the child’s blossoming sense of self.What specific techniques do you use to encourage parents to join in the music? I have a saying that I use all the time…”Everybody stays…everybody plays.” …and I mean it. While on that topic, you might ask Meredith about the Governor of Massachusetts sitting in on a music therapy session with little ones and playing maracas!
(If you are interested, visit my recent blog on http://www.RaisingHarmony.com which talks about the work of music scientist Dr. Daniel Levitin and the science behind magical musical moments.)
KeymasterGreat point, Cindy. It’s not all about academic readiness, but overall developmental growth that continually prepares us for the next stage of learning!
Cindy, Next week, please try to post in the topics that are already created. It makes it easier to keep up with everything and comment on each other’s posts. You can read the thread that I start and at the bottom, type your comment in the box. Thanks!
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