[Siobhan Rooney]

I have never really considered this or had this conversation before either. Typically when I have participated in larger community programs I have always looked at them as more of a musical performance. I used to do a community cultural arts program where I sang songs to a group of 50-100 children, I was certainly using my skills as a music therapist but I didn’t consider it to be music therapy. I have also conducted Mommy and Me as well as Daddy and Me programs on Saturdays for the families at my school which was closer to clinical music therapy sessions, but not really the same. I guess I look at these larger community outreach programs as more of a performance and possibly an opportunity to explain what music therapy is advocate for the field.

[Siobhan Rooney]

The families that I work with all have a child or children with special needs. I think it is important for a lot of my parents to be able to see their child succeed and have a positive, even joyful experience. So many everyday routines are challenging for my families (going to the grocery store, going to a community playground, etc.) causing many of our families to shy away from other early childhood music programs. Sprouting Melodies could really offer a program where everyone could feel valued and accepted. I think Family Sprouts is also a wonderful place for a typically developing sibling to connect with their brother or sister who may not always be easy to communicate with and for the parents as well. I work at an open school, each door has viewing windows and an intercom system so the families can watch their child in the classroom as well as therapy sessions. Parents love to watch their children in music therapy because they see them having fun, which for some of our little guys isn’t always easy. I’m often asked for lyrics or sheet music or a recording of a song because the children come home singing them. In Family Sprouts they could really join in the fun, play the instruments and learn the songs.

[Siobhan Rooney]

I have not had the opportunity to work with infants, the children at my program start at 24 months. Many of the children in my program do have younger siblings so I can see how a Sprouting Melodies program would be of great interest to the families in our school as well as the greater community.

[Siobhan Rooney]

I used “Are You Ready For Music?” with a group of four year olds while we were walking down the hall to the music room and they really liked it. I imitated the sliding clap that Beth used in the video and I found it helped to organize them. The line was a little straighter and it seemed to help them focus more on me and the task at hand (walking). Sometimes walking in a straight line and not being distracted by all of the art work in the hallway can seem like a Sisyphean task! I also tried “Hold on Tight” with a small group of two year olds, this was a big hit. I was surprised to see how much language this elicited (ie. more, again). These songs are perfect for my children and setting. I’m excited to use more!

[Siobhan Rooney]

Working in the special education setting for 17 years and not having any children of my own sometimes I forget what typically developing children are capable of! Although I’ve studied early childhood development before, I thought this week’s content offered me a great deal of perspective of where my children are functiong in relation to their neurotypical peers.

[Siobhan Rooney]

I try to incorporate all four of these musical experiences in every group session that I have. Generally, I start with singing, typically with a familiar greeting song that the children know and are able to sing. Then I usually present some sort of instrument and demonstrate some different ways it can be played. I will either give each child their own or invite them to come up and play for the group (depending on the instrument) and encourage them to explore different ways of playing. This is where we really have an opportunity to listen to each other and make music together. By this time we are probably about 15 or 20 minutes into the session and it is time to move! Whether it is a short finger play or a longer song I always like to give them some time to be on the floor or marching or jumping, etc. Working in a preschool this is important because many children that I work with are not able to sit for long periods of time. Some of my sessions are entirely on the floor and sometimes we use chairs depending on the needs of the children. I am thrilled to be taking this course because it really validates some of the work that I am doing and I was definitely feeling the need to sharpen my skills a little bit. It’s been a long time since I was in school, but I still feel that there is always more to learn.

[Siobhan Rooney]

I work in early childhhod music therapy everyday and I see lots of parents who are so worried about their little ones. Many of the children that I work with aren’t able to participate in typical early childhood music programs or even worse, been asked to leave a group or mommy and me program. I want to show these parents that music is still an experience that they can share with their child regardless of disabilty and that it can be joyful and fun. More importantly, it can be a way for them to connect with their child and communicate when more traditional forms of communication may not be possible (for now). I’m excited to learn some new music and see what other music therapists are doing! I want to bring this knowledge to my program and grow my own skills as a music therapist.

[Siobhan Rooney]

Hello, my name is Siobhan Rooney and I am from Long Island, NY. I currently work at a school for children with special needs ages 2-8, I developed this music therapy program 16 years ago and I am the only music therapist on staff. Although I feel very lucky that I was able to create this program I tend to feel professionally isolated. I would love to learn what other music therapists are doing in their early childhood groups and would also like to expand my program (as well as my skills!). Parents often ask me if I do any Saturday programs, mommy and me groups, etc. I would love the opportunity to become a Sprouting Melodies provider because I know there is great interest and need in my community for a program like this. I also had the opportunity to work with Beth many years ago and I respect and admire her work tremendously. So, here I am!

[Author]

Posts