[Petra Paukova]

Honestly, I think it is mutual. When I work with client on a goal of crossing the midline playing drums or metalophone, I am working on skills, but I am also helping developmentally, right?

[Petra Paukova]

SP3 five words: independent, active, emotions, space for creativity.
FS five words: mutual, model, support, sharing, cooperation.

[Petra Paukova]

I totally agree with Stacy. What I would add is this: I feel the challenge of multi-age groups is in different level of energy and participation of each group level. 5 years old does not need to take a nap while 4 moths old might fall asleep during music…. They will react differently to music because they are in different stages of development. So, for music therapist it might be little tricky to adjust her/his music to all age levels. What is good is the fact that there are always parents who help…..

[Petra Paukova]

Well, you all said most of my thoughts. I only can add my own observation with my own son with autism. I used to take him to Music Together class and he was often running away from the group. He was the only one. I did not know at that time he has autism and did not know why he did it. Later when I learned about sensory issues I realized that he was overstimulated by noise level, even none of other kids were. So, when we have a child in a group like my son, let’s try to play in little more subtle and quieter way. It does not mean slower, just quieter. Special kids often can not take all the decibels typical kids can. But just being present there in a class will over the time help them desensitize that.
5 words: stimulating, interactive, gathering, body play, surprising
Planning sessions is from my own experience kind of difficult. I like what you said in the video about building the energy up and down. I am facilitating drum circles sometimes and it works the same. It is all about energy. Let it go down so that you can build it up again and again. Go with the flow and just shape it.
Instruments: mostly plastic for easy clean up and safety.:)

[Petra Paukova]

OK. I just finished watching both videos. Here is my assignment: MT in community setting should be mostly about wellness and early detection of possible developmental issues of children. 5 words describing music experiences in SM1: sensory, bonding, calming, slow motion, love.
5 sentences I could use speaking with parents in SM1: I would describe all the features you talked about ( bonding, calmness, gentleness, slow motion, sensory stimulation etc.) and their importance. I have no real sentences in my mind right now.
Plan for songs in MT1? You already did it for us! 🙂 I like the format you used and will try to follow it. However, plan is one thing and reality can be different, so I know it often needs to be changed on a spot according to babies needs…..:)

[Petra Paukova]

HI. I totally agree with Coleen. To add my own stuff: I think music therapist is bringing fun, energy and quality time to these sessions. When parents feel that MT knows what she/he is doing and when MT is able to answer their questions professionally, it gives credit to this program. Good communication of MT with parents is essential in process of developing trust and feeling safety for their children. Also, we, music therapists, are trained to be empathetic. I think that is important (especially when there is an issue with child’s development) to be able to communicate with parents empathetically and help them emotionally.
As for needs for family, it is all about love, trust, bonding, communication, socializing, I think. And needs for community? I would say tolerance to different cultural backgrounds, gathering (I feel people live in kind of isolated words nowadays and personal contact with people in our community is very healthy). Sharing something special like watching and helping our kids grow can also help to learn parents from each other just by observing other families and their successes and struggles. Making friends, of course.:)

[Petra Paukova]

Hello all, I am very very late. My son is on two weeks and two days fall break and keeps me busy 24/7….:) Anyway, I really enjoyed the simplicity of Musical Developmental levels. It is easy to remember and use in practice. I was also thinking of my son when he was little. Since he has autism, his development was different and I did not know that for a long time, since he is my only child. I wish all moms with little ones could have this info to recognize possible delays and oddities in their children (for example joint attention). My son did not speak and did not make almost any sounds, even there was a lot of music at our home. But he was imitating opera singers from TV, being exactly on the same pitch like the singer. I do not remember exactly but I know he was musical long time before he started to speak.
Anyway, in my internship I worked with little boy with Down syndrome. He loved music, and I think he was in Independence level. Always trying to escape from me. So, I stopped the music and he came back pretty soon. Music is a motivator. He also displayed desire for control, but I think it has something to do with Down syndrom and it’s “stubbornness…..? 🙂

[Petra Paukova]

Ok. I just got through the part ! and 2, finally. Very helpful. I refreshed my memmory. My son is 11 now so I kind of forgot a lot of that stuff already. Some of the terminology was new to me and very helpful. I had a little hard time with sound of the videos, especially part two. Is there anything that could be done to make it louder? Also, part two text was very blurred on my monitor.

[Petra Paukova]

HI everyone! My name is Petra Paukova. I am also behind, but I will catch up. I am originally from the Czech Republic. I used to work there as a music/fine art teacher. I and my husband moved to Arizona 12 years ago. Year later my son was born and 3 years later he was diagnosed with autism. That’s how I got into Music Therapy field and I love it. I studied MT Equivalency program at Arizona State University, finished internship (working mostly with kids and teens with disabilities, geriatrics, hospice clients), and got certified this summer. I am trying to build my private practice and want to work with kids. I used to take my son to Music Together and loved that program. I expect to learn new materials and get more creative. Please, be patient with my grammar. It is not perfect…..:)

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