[Brooke Witherite]

Erika, thank you so much for your response. After reading and doing more research I am gaining a better understanding of community music therapy. This is such a safe setting I really appreciate it!

[Brooke Witherite]

Stephanie, It is so good to remember how important the parent’s role is in therapy, especially with a child so young. Thank you for sharing such awesome info.

[Brooke Witherite]

Shannon, I love what you said about bringing the MOST out of a musical experience. Wonderful music experiences happen all the time without a music therapist present, BUT we can ensure that our clients are getting the full effect, soaking up every ounce of it.

[Brooke Witherite]

Amadee, this is such a good point that sometimes society doesn’t accept individuals the way they are. They are expected to conform to the “norm”. But within a safe group of likeminded individuals, they can thrive and be completely accepted for who they are.

[Brooke Witherite]

I feel that the families in my community are searching for connections. Working with people with disabilities, (and honestly humans in general in this day and age), I have found that there is much loneliness being experienced. Even I have experienced it since being in the workforce. The classes I have the opportunity to offer, allow families to connect and share concerns and questions with me and others in the group. There is something wonderful about knowing that maybe you aren’t the only person experiencing a certain trial or tribulation.

[Brooke Witherite]

Erika, thank you for all the helpful insight. You have such a clear way of explaining things and I am very appreciative for that. I have had professors/teachers/bosses who only try 1 way to explain things, and if you don’t understand right away TOO BAD! So thank you again for all of your guidance and support!

[Brooke Witherite]

Shannon, My group sessions are always less awkward than my 1:1 sessions. With 1:1’s there is more space for quiet pauses and in my experience groups tend to run themselves, for the most part. So I can definitely relate to that.

[Brooke Witherite]

Tabatha, I love using movement with the kiddos, but honestly sometimes I find it tricky to balance the lyrics, movement, behavioral management, AND sometimes accompanying myself. How do we do it all at once?!?!

[Brooke Witherite]

Alicia, I can relate to being the whitest person in the room! I’ve lived in El Paso TX for the past 2 years and am always learning about new songs and artists I had no idea existed. It has been such a good experience being immersed in this rich Mexican culture.

[Brooke Witherite]

Megan, I think all of us who desire to work with children have a child inside of us. All of my coworkers at my preschool have such a youthful essence about them, no matter how old they are. I have heard that working with children keeps us young. There may be some truth to that.

[Brooke Witherite]

Carrie, I agree that sometimes we have to remind ourselves to treat children at their developmental level instead of their age. They all develop at their own pace. I think our society can put pressure on children to develop as fast as possible, but that’s just not how it works.

[Brooke Witherite]

I use a variety of instrument brands. Remo is my go to for percussion in general, and I do use some Remo instrument with children this young. However I also use Hohner Kids, by West music. The instruments are colorful and the children especially love the tactile egg shakers. I also have some instruments form target online. I love their little ocean drums and the children and parents love the too!

[Brooke Witherite]

I feel that there is a balance of how stimulation to provide in music with children 6-18 months. And I think that it can differ with each unique situation. To me enough stimulation to entice the children and match their own energy, but not too much that it will intimidate them, should be the goal to obtain. It must be an authentic energy on your part. Too much stimulation will overwhelm the child, and possibly scare them. If your energy level is much higher than their own, but not enough stimulation and the child may not be interested in interacting.

[Brooke Witherite]

5 Words: Interactive, exciting, stimulating, engaging, & fun!

5 Sentences: I’ll encourage you to help your child remain grounded by helping them plant their feet firmly on the ground, instead of dangling feet right above the ground.

We use different instruments for each group, so germs cannot be spread from session to session.

Try facing your child outward to interact with their peers.

It’s fine if the children are moving in and out of the activities, they love to leave and come back to music.

Thank you for taking the time out of your schedules to be here today!

SM2 Session Format:

Hello/Gathering song – Hello everybody
Body percussion/Gathering – Can you see me?
Lap ride/Bonding song – Wiggly Giggly
Instrument play – Sit with me and shake
Gross motor movement – March with my baby
Cool Down – Wave your scarves
Goodbye – Goodbye for now

[Brooke Witherite]

5 Words: Music, connection, exploration, discovery, & fun!

5 sentences: I’m so glad you’re here. That behavior is perfectly appropriate for your child’s stage of development. Just because they aren’t signing the song exactly, doesn’t mean they aren’t singing the song. Listen! Can you hear them signing the song. These things, (signing, keeping beat, babbling, and exploring musical objects) are the things to be watching for at home.

SM1 Plan:
-Hello/gathering song – Hello, Hello
-Body percussion/gathering song – Lap Lap Clap Clap
-Lap ride/Bonding song- Bouncing song
-Instrument Play- Shake the maracas
-Gross Motor Movement- Reach to the sky
-Cooldown- Lighting the candle
-Goodbye- Goodbye Friends

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