[Sophia Paravalos]

I think my biggest takeaways from this course are the understanding of a strong structural purposeful flow, developmental milestones specifically in a musical context, and many many many amazing songs and the detailed musical elements that make them so powerful and supportive. This learning has definitely given me a new perspective of how to see developmental milestones reflected in how kiddos interact in the music and made me feel much more informed about many of the topics I only kind of knew. I feel much more confident talking to parents now and feeling like I have a stronger grasp on the development and music concepts – hoping to continue to grow/learn more and more! I love all the songs that were so graciously shared in this training and would love to continue to pass these on to colleagues and families. It was such a crazy, wonderful experience to actually come full circle with a lot of these songs and realize I have learned many passed-down versions of these in my training. It’s so amazing to see how each music therapist has adapted them and used them for differing ages but a lot of the same musical elements that bring the power behind the songs still remain.

[Sophia Paravalos]

I Think that acknowledging each kiddos success and letting the parents in on many of the musical responses they may not pick up on right away is super important. I feel like in a session I often have a running dialogue in my head of my observations happening in the group but think it’s so beneficial to find a quick short sentence from this dialogue to share with a parent in the music that lets them see the magic that’s happening even if it’s little. It really brings the parents into the experience alongside the kids, creating a journey together rather than just bringing them to group. It allows for each child to be successful and for their growth to be acknowledged. Something the way some kiddos interact with things can seem ‘unsuccessful’ when different than peers in the group. But it’s important to point out and assure parents of the many things their child is doing and how they are exploring the world so that all are viewed as growth.

[Sophia Paravalos]

The thing that most excites me is the ability to create a space where kiddos can grow and parents can truly see their development in a new light. Music brings successes and showcases abilities and I feel like it provides a beautiful support for parents and their kids to come together with others and celebrate and discover all these amazing abilities and connections that can be made.

[Sophia Paravalos]

This can be challenging because even in similar age groups, developmental levels can heavily vary, so to add multiple years makes this even more challenging to come up with a session that is accomodating for all and allows each participant to feel heard, able, and appropriately addressed. Another added challenge is facilitating dynamics and communication between family members. There are so many different relationships going on in the room, sister-brother, sister-mother, brother-mother, sister-therapist, brother-therapist, mother-therapist. It is hard to hold space for everything and connect with each and every one. I think it’s important to remember that kiddos can interact in different ways, and in fact they should. The group should not all be doing the same thing, they should be interacting in the developmentally appropriate way. They even get inspiring models from the older kiddos to look at and learn from! Holding the space for such a large group probably feels very chaotic in the moment, but I’m sure that when you are present and continue to try and engage, it appears much smoother than it feels.

[Sophia Paravalos]

1. Connection, busy, active, share, bonding
2. Come and Join the Circle, Hold on Tight, Can you see mee, Music is the way, Will you come, Goodbye

[Sophia Paravalos]

So true! It’s the deeper understanding behind developmental milestones and then the ability to shape musical experiences around the needs of the kiddos that differentiates the programming.

[Sophia Paravalos]

This is a program that is using music and song to support all the developmental milestones of a child. Children are not coming in to learn to play on beat or learn how to play the xylophone, the ultimate goals are social/emotional, motor, cognitive etc. through music as a supportive and easily accessible medium. There is also a lot of focus on community and connection through the use of music. Songs are used to bring families and kids together, through a joint and individual experience that is manipulated and adapted to best support the development and growth of the child.

[Sophia Paravalos]

Stimulation levels can be so hard because some kiddos will easily be overstimulated, crying, covering their ears, wincing in their facial affect etc. while another kiddo in the class could be the opposite and feel understimulated, shaking the maraca very close to their ear and standing close to the guitar or drum vibrations. It can honestly be a tricky game sometimes but I find keeping the general music (voice and guit) at a medium level that is not too much for the most overstimulated kiddo is a safe zone and adapting from there. If another child starts adding to the level of stimulation, the therapist can then take down the general song stimulation to maintain a lower level.

[Sophia Paravalos]

I love using frame drums of all sizes with this developmental range so that they can fully explore from sitting/using their feet, to holding them up in the air. Shakers with differing handles I also find very useful, especially for fine motor skill work. Having some with a round handle and others with just a grasp handle are interesting as kids start to figure out how each is held differently. Using interesting newer sounds like an ocean drum or rain stick for a cool down is also instrument integration that I think creates a new interesting sound to the ears that is soothing and engaging.

[Sophia Paravalos]

1. Playful, Processing, Independence, Grounding, Identity

2. “Notice how he is starting to move the shaker differently than last week!” “It’s okay to let them roam around the room, they are just exploring their environment”, “Notice the way he is watching you shake – he’s taking it all in!” “Don’t be afraid to turn your kiddos around to face their peers at times to encourage a different perspective”, “He’s just exploring how the drum feels on his feet!”

3. All Day All Night, Wiggly Jiggly Car, Sit with me and shake, Just like me, Thank you for the music, Goodbye

[Sophia Paravalos]

This is something I am very passionate about – the role that music therapy can have in facilities that aren’t health clinics or deep clinical work. Music is a tool that is so powerful and not just for kiddos with very specialized needs. It can support the growth of all developing kids and also act as a strong tool in inclusive classrooms. I believe music is so important in bonding and gathering within a community context alone that when met with professionals who have studied the benefits, and have the skills to facilitate groups with music a the tool, it works magic in a community!

[Sophia Paravalos]

This is my favorite age group to work with – especially when the parents are also involved in the group. It is so fun to give the parents musical tools to bring home and use outside of group time. I love getting to see the little ones get more comfortable each week and grow in different ways. It is also so amazing to see them begin to interact with each other and begin to develop their own understanding of ‘self’ vs ‘others’ in their world. Kids are the best teachers and that’s why I love this age group because I feel like they truly lead the way when looking at things with fresh eyes and new perspectives.

[Sophia Paravalos]

The needs of many of the families currently I’ve noticed is a need for connection and community. Covid has brought a lot of isolation and has not allowed young kids to develop alongside peers, something very crucial to their development! I think another need is for drop-off programs. Caregivers have often been home 24/7 with their young kids trying to work and take care of them during times of lockdown. The ability to give parents a break or a different setting other than their home to experience time with their child is so important.

[Sophia Paravalos]

I believe that music therapists provide the ability for parents to see the growth of their children from a new perspective. Music lives in every child and the ability to facilitate activities that allow the music in that child to come out and support their development can be something very valuable to a families relationship with their child’s development. Music is also a very strong tool for bonding and togetherness which helps to build stronger relationships between caregivers and child.

[Sophia Paravalos]

I use all of these musical experiences throughout my sessions. One thing that has come up recently working with lots of different kiddos is the concept of being more attached and comfortable to one experience. I have a kiddo who loves to sing and doesn’t feel as connected to instruments. I use many of the tools in singing through focusing on my timbre, rhythm, dynamics etc. to assist in the facilitation and we implement that a lot into sessions to reach goals that we could also do on an instrument or through moving; however, singing is the most motivating experience for this child.
Since starting this course, the importance of timbre awareness with little ones has been sparked more in me. I will definitely be more mindful in that category and am excited to see how my timbre affects future interactions with babies.

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