Forum Replies Created
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March 15, 2015 at 2:54 pm
in reply to: How are you planning on sharing this information with colleagues, administrators and families?
ParticipantWell I am just starting out in my area, but the information I have learnt here will be valuable in connecting with families and becoming a person in the community that they can trust when looking for resources and support. I can say that the class has made me much more confident in being that support for parents and families of children 0-5. I feel like now I can reach out to local establishments to promote music therapy and be that early childhood resource for them.
ParticipantThe information I have gained in this course will defiantly be useful as I move forward in my music therapy work. Learning about the developmental stages of children 0-5 and the musical approaches best for each of those stages is something I can really utilize in the future. I do plan to become a Provider for Sprouting Melodies at some point and everything I have learnt in this training will be used fully, but like Michelle said I think I will need to sit down and reread everything we have gone over. There was so much information and I want to be able to fully absorb it so that I am able to fully put in into practice with confidence.
ParticipantBeing 100% present is a great way to make sure your class is successful and every child is benefiting. If I can really center myself beforehand so that for that session my only focus is providing the best music therapy experience then I know I am giving the child the tools they need to be successful. Being in the moment allows you to be attentive and responsive to the needs of the group and I think it’s one of our most powerful tools.
ParticipantI am so excited!!! This training is ending at a real time of growth in my career and will be a great way to get awareness. I am really passionate about advocating for music therapy and Sprouting Melodies will be a great tool in doing that in my community. I am looking forward to more experience in early childhood and meeting families in my surrounding area.
ParticipantI think keeping the older children engaged while not overstimulating the younger children is one of the main challenges. I think it is actually more helpful having other families there so that the older children might focus more so on a new friend then on battling for attention from a parent. I also really like the songs that have the older sibling modeling and engaging the younger sibling while the parent is supporting the older child. For example, the song “Hold On Tight”, by having the youngest child sit in front of the older child who is sitting in front of the parent they have a bond where each child gets to feel supported and close.
February 26, 2015 at 3:16 pm
in reply to: Share how you can explain to parents the difference between music for development and music for skill building.
ParticipantI agree completely with Mikhala. I am basically just echoing her point but, music for development is music that supports the over-all growth and support of the child, while music that is skill based is specific with a singular focused goal. They can go hand-in-hand and support each other. I believable we as music therapists, at one point or another, work using both developmental and skill-building based music approaches.
February 26, 2015 at 3:07 pm
in reply to: Use 5 words to describe the music experiences in Sprouting Melodies 3.
Participant5 Words for SM 3:Independence, Energetic, Choice-Making, Peer-Bonding, Individuality
5 Words for Family Sprouts: Bonding, Supportive, Diverse, Understanding, Turn-Taking
SM 3 Plan: Hello: “Sit Down and Join My Circle”, Bonding Song: “Swimming Together”, Songs About Me: Where is the Music?” (I thought chanting was a great way to get parents participating when they are too shy to sing), Instrument Song: “You Play A Little”, Movement Song: “Will You Come?” march, run, jump, Goodbye: “Thank You Very Much”.
SM Family Plan: Hello Song, Gathering: “Hey Everybody”, Bonding Song: “Hold On Tight” (this is a new favorite song of mine and gets stuck in my head daily), Songs about me: “All of this is me”, Instrument Song: “I Like this Song”, Movement Song: “I Can Move Around”, Goodbye: “It’s Time To Say Goodbye”, Transition them out.
February 18, 2015 at 4:18 pm
in reply to: Use 5 words to describe the music experiences in Sprouting Melodies 2.
Participant5 Words: Playful, Discovery, Surprise, Anticipation, Motion
5 Sentences: “Some children will face inward towards you, but give them the option to face outward and see everything that is happening around them.”
“By sitting them in your lap and tucking your arms under their shoulders they have the ability to hold on you you and to feel the motion of clapping when you clap.”
“When holding them up to jump make sure their feet come firmly back down to the ground so they can feel how to stand strong and with certainty.”
“It’s okay if the child is just watching, it is a lot to absorb and internalize.”
“It’s okay if they explore the guitar with me, it’s how they learn and become comfortable”SM2 Plan:
Gathering: “Would you like to play some music?” with drums in a horse shoe around the room to welcome them in and transition.
Hello: “Hello Everybody” greeting each child.
Bonding: Lap Ride “Wiggly Jiggly”, strong rhythmic base.
Song about me: “Just like Me” Lower energy and being aware of self.
Instrument song: “Sit with me and shake” Giving direction options (high, low, fast, slow), but really just giving them a chance to have musical options and choices.
Movement: “March With My Baby” High energy jumping, running, marching.
Goodbye: “Goodbye Song” closing music time and saying bye to each child.
Transition: “Thank You Very Much” Giving the children the chance to say thank you for the music to me, peers, and back with their caregiver.ParticipantI agree with Jessica, each group and child is different, but I think there is definitely a line between what could over stimulate and scare this age group and what can capture attention. For example, a recent discussion I had about the ocean drum was that holding it low where the children can see what the beads are doing can be capturing, but if the drum was to be held above there heads, that might be overwhelmingly loud and too much stimulation for this age group. On the other hand if the age was older, that technique would work much better. This age appears to work best when the energy meets them where they are and then elevates them steadily in a contained manner. The elements of surprise are built into the music and don’t startle, but rather excite. This amount of stimulation seems to be a good balance.
ParticipantI don’t have a very extensive instrument collection for this age range yet, but I am very interested to hear what the Instrument Kit is that the current SM Providers use. I would love a gathering and/or ocean drum, scarves, and the maracas are essential.
February 17, 2015 at 1:36 pm
in reply to: Use 5 words to describe the music experiences in Sprouting Melodies 1.
Participant5 Words: Embracing, Supportive, Warm, Soothing, Approachable
5 Sentences for Parents:
“Use the music we use here at home, the songs are for you to use as tools at home.”
“Don’t worry if you’re late, I’m glad you made it here.”
“When we say “hello” to your baby put a little pressure on their chest so they know that’s them.”
“Try leaning close, about 12 to 18 inches, so your baby can see you.”
“Your baby isn’t bored, they are just confused, repeating the song helps them get familiarized with the music.”Class Plan:
Gathering: Recorded music with instruments in a horseshoe around the room. Get everyone settled in.
Hello: Hello Song to greet each baby
Ride Song: Little Red Wagon
Instrument Song: In My Little Hand (with shakers)
Movement Song: As Big As Can Be
Self Song: Where oh Where is my face? with scarves
Transition Out: Goodbye Song in lullaby formFebruary 17, 2015 at 1:14 pm
in reply to: Share your thoughts with the board members on the role of music therapy in community based settings.
ParticipantI think music therapy in a community-based setting is hugely important in getting our name out there. It allows families to have a support system and a sense of community. They don’t have to feel alone with whatever personal life experiences they are going through. It also allows us as music therapists to get a feel for the overall needs of the community. We can provide services based on what populations we see lacking in support. By being visible in the community we become approachable and accessible for others seeking music therapy as a service and support. But like others before me stated, I feel it is important for us to advocate for ourselves and make the distinction between the community-based classes and other music therapy services.
February 15, 2015 at 5:42 pm
in reply to: Share some of your experiences with children of this age and level.
ParticipantI haven’t worked with children of this age professionally and because of this Sprouting Melodies class I have come to realize just how little experience I have with this age group. I have decided to start volunteering as a “play partner” with a nearby daycare for homeless families with children ages 0-6. I thought it would be a great way for me to learn more about children is this age bracket while also contributing some of my time to a good cause. Hopefully, after a few months I will have more knowledge and a better understanding through hands-on experience to support the knowledge I have learnt in this course.
ParticipantI haven’t started working in my community, but from what I know the area is highly diverse with various backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses. We have a well-used community center and library, but no programs that offer anything close to what Sprouting Melodies offers or really much in music-based programs. I think families in my area need close-by flexible programing that are understanding of the needs of the families while providing valuable content and a safe space to bond and grow with their children.
February 6, 2015 at 12:42 pm
in reply to: What value do music therapists bring to families of young children?
ParticipantI want to echo what Amanda, Mikhala, and Jessica have said and add to the discussion that we are a huge resource and the Sprouting Melodies group can serve as a sound board for parent’s concerns and inquiries. With the education and knowledge-base we have as music therapists we have a unique and diverse way of looking at situations and finding different angles to help families grow and connect with their children regardless of developmental abilities. Where others see challenges and obstructions we often see opportunities for parents and caregivers to learn and use the music as a tool. Jessica mentioned our openness and our line of communication that we offer to inform parents so that they can in-turn use that information to inform other people in their child’s life. And just to further Mikhala’s point that we have the ability to be spontaneous and flexible so that the children can just be in the music. Most parent’s probably don’t know what that is or what it looks like, but by having a music therapist there to tell them and show them, they can learn it’s benefits. Just by listening to the parent in the video explain that when her child wake’s up she sings “hello everybody”, the child is clearly taking away from this and the content is generalizing into the child’s everyday life. The music isn’t just an hour of entertainment, with a music therapist it’s a tool that fosters growth and development that goes beyond the music space we provide and goes home with the families into the community.
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