[Tracy Schoenberg]

I would love to share this information by word of mouth to administrators and families and also using newsletters and pictures to illustrate what kind of music therapy group this is and what it does. I also would encourage other music therapists in my area to get trained in this training since most music therapists do work with a variety of ages and stages. Child development was my first class I was required to take in music education and it’s just as important in music therapy, especially with the youngest kids and babies. Love that there is interest with other moms I know in my area and look forward to sharing this information to them. Alison is correct in that lots of doctor offices and other businesses can help share what you offer and always seem to have a place for business cards and pamphelets for prospective music therapy groups.

[Tracy Schoenberg]

This training has motivated me to try and possibly see what areas in my community might benefit from a program like this while also using some of these ideas for seniors and other populations. Since I am pretty busy raising my own kids at this time, I will be looking into music studios I’ve worked at previously, but might also look into Early intervention or Head Start since the kids might really benefit from a program like this, as well as their families. I honestly would prefer someone to do the paperwork and financial dealings like a Park District or music school since I don’t have a lot of free time right now. I will be presenting the importance of music therapy in relation to child development to other moms in my area as practice, and hope it will help educate the caregivers and their family ways to use music to encourage ways to move toward milestones in child development.

[Tracy Schoenberg]

Forgot which wonderful how to be a good parent book I read- (always a struggle with being a patient positive parent)– but I remember some free advice that whatever you put your focus on, you get more of with children.. I guess that has been mostly true with past experience teaching and parenting. Focusing on the specific and general positive behaviors is key to kids following that behavior and really helps manage a lot of behaviors. Of course there might be throwing instruments, hitting, and other problems that go along with grumpy hungry, teething kids, but it’s not always something that needs to be focused on for a long time.. sometimes they might need a break outside the circle for a bit. Redirecting with music activity or even tempo might be all that’s needed. When I taught music long time ago, it was a matter of just continuing teaching while subtly taking away an instrument or using positive language to change behavior like let’s use our walking feet and keep arms length away from other kids. Better yet, kids might need their own carpet square to know their own space and not bump into other kids. I think the pace and interest of a session has a lot of benefits to helping with managing behaviors as well. Also educating parents about consistent behavior consequences, specific praise, and redirection, and some sign language can also help these new parents outside of music session.

[Tracy Schoenberg]

:)- I agree with Beth on not doing IEPs- that is so much paperwork.. I look forward to working with children while also supporting and engaging the parents. I like the way this music therapy program is set up to give us ideas of appropriate experiences for children/caregivers at certain developmental levels and how music can support child development.. I also agree with Rachel that this class can help parents and caregivers with little babies and kids connect with each other. Certain music activities and interventions are a great way to help with all children with developmental goals in a joyful way. Anyways, quite a few moms in my meetup group expressed interest in coming to a class like this so I’m excited to experiment on my mom friends.

[Tracy Schoenberg]

Sprouting Melodies 3-Creative, active, accepting, emotions, and intentional

Family Sprouts- Supportive, cooperative, sharing, helping, and individuality

Sprouting Melodies 3 Plan
Instrument Exploration– (Greeting)I’m Glad You’re Here Today– (Bonding Song) Hold on Tight and My Brand New Friend– (Songs about Me)- That all Makes up Me–storytime of Eric Carle’s “from Head to Toe” (Instrument song)- You Play a little and Music is the Way– (Movement song)- Clickety Clack– s (goodbye) Thank you very much

Family Sprouts Plan-
Instrument Exploration–(Greeting) Come and Join the Circle– (bonding song)- -Row it faster and Wiggly Jiggly Car (songs about me) Can you see me? and Who’s that?— (instrument song)- You and Me makes We— (movement song) I can move around and I really gotta jump— (Goodbye)- It’s time to say goodbye (with scarves)

[Tracy Schoenberg]

Family Sprouts seem to benefit families with more than 1 child and although developmentally different, may benefit the child and baby to interact with each other in different ways. For instance, the older child could be the leader of the younger kids by passing out instruments or coming up with his/her own movements. Kids and adults will learn to help and support the younger kids and help connect and cooperate with one another- always good for siblings that don’t connect well. For instance, my older kid went to montessori for a few years and they combine age groups 3-6 years. The older children have more responsibilities and leadership opportunities, but also teach and take care of the younger kids by helping them zip their jacket and read to them. The younger kids learn from the older kids and make connections with multi-age kids.

The challenge of family sprouts is to not overstimulate the babies and younger children (what Rachel mentioned). My youngest kid at 12-16 months didn’t do well with a large music group because the music was too loud, too much jumping and moving, and pounding big drums. It was too overwhelming and he’d bury his head in me startled a lot. The lullabies helped calm everything down, but there definitely has to be a balance of high and low energy songs. Sometimes the older kids want lots of energetic and loud music which might not fit into the younger children’s preferences.

[Tracy Schoenberg]

Music development is seen through observable behavior and physical changes that occur most of the time for children at a certain age. For instance, little babies are establishing trust with their caregiver. They can be encouraged to establish this trust by incorporating bonding songs. These repeated experiences teach the child to trust the world. Other important songs that encourage development are becoming ‘me’songs that encourage this concept. Music helps explore abstract concepts of ‘me’ that are important but hard to put into words such as friendship, embarrassment, and imagination.

Music for skill building is a way to develop emerging and developing skills such as language and communication, movement, and social and emotional interactions in SM3. Encouraging 2 handed instruments, literacy skills with songs, connecting scarves with 2 friends or taking truns on drum to promote social connection, and using music to promote marching, running, and jumping enhance these developing skills. Signing while singing may help communication as well.

[Tracy Schoenberg]

I like the idea of small instruments that can be easily and independently played and explored. I personally use egg shakers, little maracas, small drums, jingle bells, small tambourines, and guitar with groups of little kids. I wish I had a large gathering drum, but I have another music therapy friend that has a djembe and other big drums she lets me borrow. I like to have my guitar and hope for an available piano wherever I’m at, but would love to learn to use my ukulele. My kid plays music with me on the ukulele when I play guitar or piano and it’s one of his favorite instruments and it’s so out of tune :). I guess I’d need to have a big bin for instruments that have gone in the mouth, but probably will end up cleaning all instruments with some kind of safe cleaning product to prevent germs spreading.

[Tracy Schoenberg]

Exploration, Discovery, Playful, Energetic, and love of Surprises

In SM2, the music group for babies will be between the ages of 6-18 months old. They will participate by being playful, free and spontaneous through music listening and music making. The music selected at this stage will focus on addressing language and communication skills, motor planning, and social development. Some babies at this age will love crawling and walking around the room while others might like to stay still and observe his/her environment. The music might be full of fun surprises and reflect the children’s energy, yet still have a calm structure that reflects their energy.

Session Plan for SM2-
Instrument Exploration and transition into group

1) Gathering/Greeting- Sit Downd with Me (EKS)- child led body movements
2) Bonding Song- Horsey, Carry Me (EKS)
3) Songs about Me- Can You See Me? (EKS)
4) Instrument- Sit with Me and Shake (MRP)- use of little maracas.. I like this song but it’s not in the book- I guess I’ll have to make up my own melody but keep lyrics
5) Movement- Pick Your Hands Up High (EKS)- using scarves
6) Goodbye- Music Time is Over (EKS)

[Tracy Schoenberg]

I agree with Jessica and Rachel, in that it completely depends on the child and his/her special need how much stimulation will be enough. There’s a wide variety of responses for different children and how they respond to environmental stimulation is very helpful. When I worked with younger kids that had autism, they might have been overstimulated immediately by lights, sounds, smells, and so many outside triggers that might not have even been music related. If it looked like it was the music bothering them, I could see they might cover their ears, bite or pinch themself, hit, or scream. Sometimes they would just run. Luckily, I had assistance, but if I could control the music related stimulation, I’d immediately turn down lights and play some calming guitar music or relaxing cd- bubbles usually could help in certain situations as well as scarves or a toy that helped focus or distract that child. Sometimes a child just needed a break and come back when all was well. I like the idea of a hiding spot in the room for a safe place like a tent. My kid hides in a pack and play under a ton of pillows when overstimulated even though he’s 5.

An engaged child at this stage in SM2 will respond playfully and spontaneous with energy, respond with crawling, instrument playing, or walking as movement, enjoy free movement, or stay still and observe his/her environment.

[Tracy Schoenberg]

My experience with this age level is only of my own kids and music at this age really was great for transitions, such as crying and screaming while driving in the car (always when there was a long red light and the motion of the car stopped)- cd and radio never worked- it had to be me singing and it had to be the same song over and over until he calmed down enough. I used lullabyes to nurse my kids to sleep and lots of baby shakers while listening to music on Cds or radio. I also used a lot of rhymes and songs from storytime at the library like Humpty Dumpty, or Teddy Bear Teddy Bear..etc. Waiting for food also required me to sing everything to prevent another screaming fit. Lots of songs were great for diaper changes- I only sang very common children’s songs because when you’re tired, songs don’t come out as naturally as you’d want.

[Tracy Schoenberg]

Joy, bonding, cuddling, gentle, and calm affect

SM1 is about the baby learning to attach to another caregiver and develop healthy relationships. Children in this group are learning about awareness which is reflexive and instinctual. It is an awakening of their senses, of physical and sensual being. They might prefer vocal timbre of mom or dad and discriminate pitches. They prefer quiet calm music but sometimes enjoy play songs that don’t startle them. They might reach toward the sound or turn away. If I had more than 5 sentences I’d talk about Trust responses too.

Session sample plan
Hello song- Good Morning (swaying baby)
Embedded song- Just Like Me- sing this song while gently touching child’s eyes and nose and point to yours
Lap Ride- Row It Faster- (put baby in lap and row slow, quick, and back to slow again or sit in own chair or mat and hold hands with caregiver)
Instrument Play- In My Little Hand (maracas or chiquitas)- baby or caregiver can play instrument
Bonding Song- Wiggly Jiggly Car- baby can bounce with caregiver or pretend to be in their own car on a mat or chair
Cool Down- Let’s Read a Book Today- pass out different baby books for caretakers to open and show fun picture books to the babies
Goodbye- Time to Go- swaying baby

[Tracy Schoenberg]

My computer was unable to get the download that was shared. Probably need a newer computer

[Tracy Schoenberg]

Music therapy in community based settings is about promoting healthy development and bonding in all children. It also might help parents connect to other parents with children that are similar ages and stages. It is not clinical music therapy, but more about helping children grow and develop through multiple musical approaches and techniques. Some community based settings are early intervention program, wellness program, or may even be included in new baby education classes. I’ve seen mommy and me yoga and baby message through hospital programs. My youngest was premature and after the NICU experience, they gave me a whole lot of information on classes and resources to check out for helping your baby and child’s development. These classes were extremely helpful and important to new sleep deprived grumpy moms 🙂

[Tracy Schoenberg]

I’ll admit years ago I trained in kindermusik for music therapy credits, and thought it was beneficial to an extent, but then there was the purchasing of curriculum and instruments which were over my budget, following all the scripted curriculum was hard for me- so i called another kindermusik provider in the area to talk to and observe, and she was very territorial and did not want another person doing kindermusik in the area. She suggested I search faraway towns to practice. That ended that dream fast, but she was a wonderful teacher when I did the program with my first kid. I know the music together does very well and seems to be a huge following in one of the mom’s meetup groups I am currently in. They bring all their children in and do all the classes religiously. I attended for awhile but very challenging for my own kid to attend to most songs due to his own sensitivities and I honestly can’t afford more than one of those classes a year. I also trained in Gymboree a long, long time ago and it was very scripted, but did go into child development a lot more than any other music program I attended. It was a very general description of what a child should and might be doing at the time of development, but nothing for parents to really take home. That was prechildren. During training, I didn’t like the fact it revolved around a strange clown so I left to do music therapy in schools since there was more music therapy involvement and felt it was more in my professional area.

I think this program would really fit into some different areas in my community like a music school. I used to teach piano for many years in a music school before I needed to be at home with my kids, but they have been asking if I was interested in developing an early childhood class. I just wasn’t organized last year and felt I still needed more time with my kids before I could pursue that. Another thought is in special recreations department could benefit from this program for supporting kids with special needs and their parents. Also, I do feel the kids with special needs don’t get a lot of specialized music programs. I mean every therapist my kids have seen for speech, OT, and PT do not have a music therapist- probably related to laws of insurance in Illinois. There used to be a few music therapists that worked in these places, but now I haven’t seen any around the area as visible as other therapists. I would have totally utilized a music therapist if it were an option for my kids- really tricky to be a teacher or therapist for your own kids.

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