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August 24, 2019 at 3:32 pm
in reply to: How are you planning on sharing this information with colleagues, administrators and families?
ParticipantI too have been able to share how much this training has impacted me with fellow colleagues. I have told them about how valuable the information is and how flexible the program is structured. I hope this helps others see the value of this type of training. This training has also helped me see the value even more of advocating for what we do in this profession. We do have something valuable to offer, and we will never know who might be impacted by it unless we share our knowledge with others! It makes me excited to see the possibilities that can come from this! </p>
<p>@Emma- I love how you are already getting yourself out there! I think reaching out to your own church is a great idea! I think my church family might also be interested in hosting a program like this for children and their families! </p>
<p>@Elizabeth- It sounds like you have a great opportunity ahead of you! Best of luck as you continue building on that connection and relationship at that facility!ParticipantI am going to be a part of the Melissa’s team of music therapists, and my hope is that I will have a chance to lead some of these early childhood courses through Living Spirit Therapy Services. When Melissa asked me to take this training, I was extremely thrilled to have the opportunity to learn more about music through early childhood development. I absolutely love children and love to watch how music can impact their lives. This training has impacted the way I look at musical behaviors and developmental stages. I have a better understanding now of what aspects to look for that can inform my musical selections within a session. This knowledge is not only helpful for these classes for children and parents, but I also think it informs the rest of my music therapy practice. It has given me greater confidence in the training I have received and that I can provide a place for children to grow with their families.
@Kristen- I agree that this training has helped me think through how to empower and support the parents. The family aspect is so vital to this type of work!
@Jessica- I was surprised how this training could inform all we do as music therapists, and I know that I have a great awareness of how to apply that knowledge as well!
ParticipantFrom my time during my internship with St. Paul Public schools, I believe the best way to allow for every child to have success is to provide adaptations to the interventions and session plans you have created. I would find that I might have an initial idea for an intervention, and then, realize within the session that some students would need something adapted to help them be more successful. I learned to trust my intuition more as a result because sometimes I had to think rather quickly. As I learned more about what each child enjoyed and their strengths, I was able to give them specific tasks or musical parts that helped them stay engaged. Often, if a student was given some type of responsibility that was all their own, this would help them become motivated and proud of their musical contributions. I also tried to validate whatever contribution they were giving, and take time to point it out. And sometimes that involved explaining to the staff just how big of an accomplishment this was for that particular student to help encourage them. Or even explaining that it was ok for a student to just listen, and that is still engagement.
@Jessica- I agree that it is important to be aware what everyone in the group is contributing even when certain children maybe more active than others. We are there to provide for the group, not just certain individuals.
@Elizabeth- I agree with your point about memorizing the music. If the song is able to easily flow out of you without much thought, you are able to be more engaged with the children and parents right in front of you! It takes time, but with practice, it has become easier for me to memorize songs especially children’s songs.
ParticipantI am most looking forward to the access to a music therapy community that can support one another in this process! It is great to know that there is a place bounce off ideas and grow in providing the best services possible for the communities that my employer, Living Spirit Therapy Services, will provide for! I am also looking forward to work with Melissa as well as Steve to develop Sprout Melody courses locally. There is so much to be excited about when you know you have a place that can support you on the journey!
@Emma- I agree! I am so excited to be able to help advocate for music therapy through providing these courses for young children!
@Erika- Thanks for the ongoing support and providing strategies to help us all find connections in our own communities! Building relationships for any business is so vital!
ParticipantI think the biggest challenge with multi-age groupings is the fact that every child is going to be on different places developmentally. It takes a lot of focus and understanding to be able to adapt and adjust to what is happening at any given moment. However, it is what I feel we have been trained to do well as music therapists. The challenge is to be creative and willing to take risks in the moment to help support how the children are interacting in a particular session. I think it can be quite overwhelming at times to think on our feet. But, if we trust our instincts we have learned, I believe we can be successful to meet the children in the musical experiences.
@Steve- I love your point that the music doesn’t have to be childish to meet the needs of every child in the room. There are so many songs we can use that will fit the needs and be enjoyable for everyone involved.
@Elizabeth D.- I think you made an important point by reminding us all that being intentional in our planning will also help with the challenge of different ages. If we develop a good plan, we will be able to adapt when necessary.
August 20, 2019 at 10:35 pm
in reply to: Share how you can explain to parents the difference between music for development and music for skill building.
ParticipantEveryone has made some really great points about the difference between music for development and music for skill building. I believe it is important to help the parents understand the overall focus and point of these early childhood classes. The focus is to help support children in developing naturally, and music can enhance this in variety of ways. There is also a key component of supporting and strengthening bonds before the caregivers. Since these classes are not music therapy sessions, there isn’t a formal assessment or goals set for each individual child. If that were the case then there would be sessions with the goal of skill building.
@Melissa- I like how you explained that skill building would mean that there are specific issues that need to be addressed so that would mean that the child is struggling developmentally. I think that helps demonstrate the difference of what we are providing with these classes very well.
@Emma- Thanks for pointing out how there can be misconceptions about what music can and cannot do for clients. I think we do have a responsibly as music therapists to show parents that every response to the music is something to cherish and celebrate as they develop!
August 20, 2019 at 12:30 pm
in reply to: Use 5 words to describe the music experiences in Sprouting Melodies 3.
ParticipantSprouting Melodies 3: Energy, Movement, Creative Exploration, Purposeful, and Expressive
Plan: Gathering/Greeting Song: “Hello (Echo Song)”- This a call and response song that I have used often, and I feel would be more attainable for this age group. I sing it in the mixolydian mode. Lyrics: “Hello (Hello) Molly (Molly) I’m glad to see you today! To sing! (To sing!) And Play (And play!) And now we’re on our way!” Bonding Song: “Swimming Together” Songs about me: “Where is the Music?” I love this song because I think kids need to understand the value of the music inside of us all! Instrument Song: “You Play a Little” I love the aspect of turn taking in this song! Movement Song: “Walking Shoes”- This is a song I learned from someone who does early childhood classes and I love it! It involves a lot of movement and such around the room, but opportunity for kids to make suggestions of what kind of shoes they want to put on next. Lyric: “I’m gonna put, put, put on my walking shoes. I’m gonna but, but, button up my coat! I’m gonna walk, walk, walk where there’s things to see, and if you want to you can walk with me! Ba Da Bum! Ba Da Bum! Ba Da Bum!” Then, you can say: what kind of shoes should we put on next? Goodbye Song: “Time to Go” & “Thank You Very Much”
Family: Teamwork, Bonding, Supporting, Connection, and Fun
Plan: Gathering/Greeting Song: “Hey Everybody”- I like the idea of chanting to begin, but it has a steady stable beat for everyone to participate. Bonding Song: “Row It Faster”- I think there is a lot of opportunity with this song for everyone in the family to work together, but all moments of surprises and different tempos for the older kids. Songs about Me: “Hand Hand Finger Thumb” with a book or even some other visual aids that all ages could touch and feel during the song as they became more familiar with the book. Instrument Song: “Everybody has a rhythm”- I wrote the lyrics to the tune of a backstreet boys song, and I feel it went over well with groups. It is easy to adapt to all ages. All the kids could wave their hands or pat their knees during the chorus, and then, when they hear “listen closely” we all stop”, and when they hear their name, they come up to an instrument like a drum to have a solo. This can continue to be varied in many different ways as children become more comfortable such as sharing an instrument and waiting for their turn in pairs. Here are the lyrics: “Everybody (Yeah!) Has a rhythm! Everybody (Yeah!) Has a rhythm! Now Listen Closely!!…. (Insert Name)’s turn…3..2..1 GO!” Movement Song: “I Can Move Around”. Goodbye: “It’s Time to Say Goodbye”
ParticipantI have not started practicing yet with groups, but I do have some experiences in my internship and we used a variety of different instruments that the schools provided or through a “donors choose project” that my supervisor set up. My first concern with instruments that are maybe more suited for children is whether or not they have a pleasant tone. I agree with @Steve that there a lot of kid instruments that are just not the best sounding. The basic REMO hand drums are nice and something that is fairly easy to handle. Most of the shakers or maracas we had were either way to loud or to big to handle for small children/babies. I like the ones suggested in the video. I still feel like I need to do some more research on what are best instruments for these age groups so I am glad we have a resource through this training!
@Melissa- I love your idea of bringing in some type of unique instrument to let the kids try, explore, and grab their attention. I mentioned similar concerns about the quality of instruments! This needs to be priority for these families and groups!
@Kristen- I agree that jingle bells can be a little overwhelming. We had some at my internship that were on the end of a plastic handle that seemed little better than other ones, but I am also hoping to finding some other options as well.
ParticipantI think there are a lot of different aspects to consider when you are thinking about whether you are provide too much or not enough stimulation. First, I think there must always be a balance. Children and their families are all going to be uniquely different. It will take intentional observing throughout sessions and time spent with the children to know when there is too much stimulation happening for example. Additionally, I think providing a structure that allows for different types and levels of stimulation is also valuable. I think the key is flexibility within the structure of the sessions to allow for space and change to occur when we notice cues that might be helpful such as children become overly startled or completely disengaged.
@Steve- I agree with your insights here! I think we do gain even more flexibility and creativity when rapport has been built and the families have become more comfortable in the space.
@Kristen- I appreciate that you mention that we are ALL in need of being able to self-regulate, not just children. So being able to demonstrate this in session to the families can help them transfer this information even more clearly to their home lives.
August 16, 2019 at 11:41 pm
in reply to: Share some of your experiences with children of this age and level.
ParticipantI haven’t really had much experience from a music therapy perspective with young babies. However, I have been around friends that have young children, and I also remember some experiences I had with my nephew when he was 6 months old. There was one particular time when my nephew was fussy so I decided to pick him up and gently sway him while singing lullaby songs. I was amazed at how he became real still and gazed into my eyes as I was singing to him. There was something beautiful about that bonding moment that I will never forget. It was evident that he was taking everything in, and it is something I cherish about this age group as I learn more about it.
@Steve I think your experience is typical for most parents when they have their first child or only child. There is so much to learn and it can be stressful. I know my brother and sister-in-law had a lot of anxiety in the beginning
@Jessica I agree that this class is helping me to recognize more developmental points to help the parents see how amazing each step really is to overall growth!
August 16, 2019 at 11:29 pm
in reply to: Use 5 words to describe the music experiences in Sprouting Melodies 1.
Participant5 words: Bonding, Exploring, Soothing, Safety, and Structure.
5 Sentences: 1. “I am so glad you are able to join us today! Find a spot on the floor with your baby as we begin our time experiencing the music together.” 2. “This is a great opportunity for you to just simply enjoy musical play with your baby” 3. “Notice how your baby responses as you sing to her. These are precious moments where bonds between a parent and child are strengthened” 4. “Thank you for making this class a priority despite the challenges that life with young ones bring.” 5. “I encourage you to notice how your child is interacting with you, and make adjustments as needed. Some children may feel more comfortable on the floor, others may be more comfortable standing up as we move to this next song. There is no “right” way to do this.”
Plan: 1. Hello song that is repetitive and inviting. “Today’s A Beautiful Day” 2. Bonding/Movement Song: “Row It Faster(EKS)”- Demonstrating the rocking gently and faster with their children 3. Songs About Me: “Just like Me (EKS)” 4. Instrument Song: “In My Little Hands” 5. Movement Song “As Big AS Can Be. 6. Cool down song: “Somewhere over the Rainbow” with colorful scarves. Gradually slowing the tempo down. 7. Transitioning into “Goodbye song”. “Let’s sing goodbye together/Goodbye, Goodbye, Goodbye!/ Let’s sing goodbye to ____(insert name)____/Goodbye, Goodbye, Goodbye!…etc.
August 16, 2019 at 10:46 pm
in reply to: Share your thoughts with the board members on the role of music therapy in community based settings.
ParticipantI think that the role of music therapy in the community setting is so needed. As some have mentioned, we have expertise that many other music-based early childhood community classes aren’t providing. I think the greatest need that communities are looking for in this type of music class are teachers (or in this case music therapists :)) that are able to conduct classes that fit the needs of the group, but also for the individual families as well. We have been trained to assess on multiple different levels, and be able to adapt in the moment. This skill set is extremely valuable and something I think families are looking for. I also think that families are looking for someone who truly understandings how music can make a difference developmentally as well.
@Kristen- Thanks for mentioning some of the unique community settings that music therapists are starting to become a part. I see so much potential in how we can thrive and grow as a profession through multiple different avenues so it is exciting to see some real life examples!
@Elizabeth- You made a great point by pointing out how the word “therapy” can have a stigma. We are all in need of some type of health and well-being as humans. So it is a shame that music therapy can be seen as only benefiting certain populations with delays for example.
ParticipantAlthough I am not directly working with any specific families as of now, I know that the Minneapolis/St. Paul area is one of many different cultural and income needs. There are a lot of people who are struggling to make ends meet which can make it hard to provide for their families. But in other areas of the metro, families are thriving and are able to supply for the basic needs and more of their children. Therefore, I think it will depend a lot on the location of where these types of early childhood classes will be offered. And then, it will be important to consider the specific needs of that area.
@Steve I remember when you did that fundraiser for the children who didn’t have winter coats at your son’s school. I admire your commitment to help families in this way! I agree that these class could provide a safe space for families to learn and play without judgement of the hardships they face!
@ElizabethG I also felt the point that Meredith made about how these classes encourage discovery is so vital for any family. And the children discover more about themselves, but also the parents too!
August 13, 2019 at 10:22 am
in reply to: What value do music therapists bring to families of young children?
ParticipantMusic Therapists are able to create an environment that helps each individual family feel comfortable and confident that their children are cared for and are getting what they individually need. Music Therapists have the training necessary to do more than teach music to children and families, but instead provide insight into how to help families utilize this music in ways that help support their family and child in the day to day aspects of life. Our expertise is valuable and families recognize this.
@kristen Thanks for reminding us all that we are trained to be in the moment which is extremely valuable to this kind of work!
@Destiny I really appreciate the reminder that we do have a lot to offer. I think we can sell ourselves short which in turn can hinder us from being fully confident in the amazing work we do in and through musical experiences.
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