[Rachel Sedmak]

I have have two main takeaways from this course. One is to value myself as a music therapist and the expertise I can provide to families to set myself apart from other music classes. My other biggest takeaway is the awareness of the music developmental levels. I think that knowing how the child is developing musically combined with the knowledge of non-musical child development will really help me to understand where a child is as they grow and what music and experiences will be best to support that growth. Even if families are familiar with child development, they will most likely not be familiar with musical development. I will be happy to share with them how their child’s music responses reflect his/her development.

[Rachel Sedmak]

I have not worked with this population specifically, but in general I think about how people are seated in the space and how and what instruments are being used to ensure success. Providing choices and taking cues from children also help them to be successful. As far as harmful behaviors go, I would try to collaborate with the parent and carefully observe in order to redirect a child before they engage in a harmful behavior.

[Rachel Sedmak]

What excites me most is applying what I’ve learned with the little ones. From this last presentation, it sounds like it might be awhile until I have the business I’m envisioning, but I think I’ve gained enough tools and insights from this course to be able to make the needed connections in my community.

[Rachel Sedmak]

I think this is such a great question because it’s exactly what I’ve been thinking about since I started this course. I took my kids as toddlers to a couple different music classes in my area that were similar to Sprouting Melodies in format, but the main difference was that the teacher did not really give any insight into the children’s overall development and how their musical responses reflected that development. So, I would tell parents that my class is about supporting the child’s overall development with music and building relationships. We specifically use music to develop communication skills, to create or strengthen bonds between child and caregiver, to learn about ourselves and the world around us, and to learn to socialize and share with others. You can even use some of the techniques and songs you learn in class at home to continue supporting your child’s development.

[Rachel Sedmak]

I think the challenges of providing multi age groupings would be to find music and experiences that are appropriate for both the babies and the older children. From what I’ve learned in the previous courses, the experiences for babies in the awareness stage are slow and less dynamic, which would not hold the attention of the older children. I think it will be easy to let the older children drive the sessions, and the challenge will be to still keep the music appropriate for the babies.

[Rachel Sedmak]

5 words to describe Family Sprouts: sharing, joyful, connections, individuality, and helping
Session plan:
Come and Join in the Circle
Wiggly Jiggly Car
All of this is Me
Shake Out Music Today
Let’s March!
It’s Time To Say Goodbye

[Rachel Sedmak]

That’s great. I will reach out to Meredith. Thank you, Erika!

[Rachel Sedmak]

So true, Favor! Music is in our DNA, which explains why kids are so drawn to music. It’s so wonderful that they are uninhibited in making music, too. I’m not sure when it is in development that a person starts to think they have to be good at singing or playing an instrument to make music. Listening to music is enjoyable, but I think it’s a much more fulfilling experience to participate in the music making. Hopefully these little ones will become life long music makers.

[Rachel Sedmak]

Five words to describe Sprouting Melodies 2 are playful, joyful, surprise, energetic, and free movement.
Five sentences I can use to speak to parents are “She is watching and listening now, and you may discover her singing one of the songs in the car or at home.” “It’s ok for him to move around the room.” “Did you hear that? He matched the pitch.” “She still wants to be close to you, but she also wants to know what’s going on around her.” “It’s ok for her to put the instruments in her mouth, she is exploring.”
Session plan:
Hello!
Horsey, Horsey lap ride, alternating fast and slow
Just Like Me
What’s Next?- Transition and building anticipation to getting out instruments
I Like this Song- with shakers
Clap Your Hands to the Music- clapping, tapping knees, stomping, marching, etc.
Sit Down with Me- bring kids back together to get ready to sing goodbye
Uh-Oh, It’s Time to Say Goodbye

[Rachel Sedmak]

I have a Remo gathering drum and buffalo drum that I plan to use with my groups. I also have a split log drum that I may be able to use. I have Basic Beat egg shakers that I used with school aged children, but it sounds like they may not be appropriate for younger children who are still mouthing items. I have some other instruments, but they are more appropriate for older children and adults. I plan to buy a new inventory of instruments appropriate for babies and toddlers like the Remo baby maracas and frame drums.

[Rachel Sedmak]

I think that enough stimulation is being provided when the children are engaged in watching and listening, vocalizing, exploring instruments, or moving about the room in a way that is obvious they are listening and processing the music. Signs of too much stimulation might include the child crying or displaying a grimacing affect, or the child pulling away from the group in distress.

[Rachel Sedmak]

The main thing a music therapist does is address the needs of an individual or group, be that in the traditional form of addressing symptoms, or in a community wellness version. By responding to the needs of the community, music therapists can help to make a positive impact. Making music is a communal experience, so it seems natural that music therapy can play a role in bringing people together for a positive shared experience. Kids are future adults; starting them out with a foundation of how to listen and respect others, and by knowing they are loved are so important as they carry those foundations for the rest of their lives.

[Rachel Sedmak]

My only professional experience working with infants was in the NICU, but I do have experience having my own children, and can definitely relate to what it’s like being sleep deprived mother of an infant. When my children were babies, we did a lot of rocking, soft singing, and slow dancing. I sang them a special song when they were crying. It would help to sooth in many cases, but if they were over tired or hungry, singing did not help. I appreciated Meredith’s suggestion of allowing parents to feed their babies while still participating in the group.

[Rachel Sedmak]

Bonding and building trust are so important, as is the child’s learning how to socialize with peers. For children who aren’t in daycare or have extended families or social groups, this is even more important because they may not be around peers on a regular basis. Learning how to interact in a group is crucial to starting kindergarten. That being said, there are other music classes for children and caregivers that are not provided by music therapists. I think the value of having a music therapist is the focus on the whole child’s development, rather than just on the child learning music. Other music classes are geared more for the child to eventually start formal music training, whereas the focus of music therapy is supporting both the children and parents in the child’s cognitive, emotional, physical, and social wellbeing.

[Rachel Sedmak]

In-home caregivers may need opportunities for their children to be with other kids so they can learn how to interact appropriately with other children. Music is an enjoyable and structured experience that children can have fun while learning how to take turns and respect others. Music therapy also provides a way for parents to meet and build relationships with other parents. I think parents in general in my community want their kids to succeed in school and life. Participating in music therapy in early childhood can help children develop skills that will increase their chances of being successful in school.

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