Music Therapy Strategies for infants and Toddlers

Music Therapy for CALS/FALSGabby Ritter-Cantesanu, MMT, MT-BC1How does Music Therapy work?Music is powerful and nonthreateningMulti modal to stimulate all sensesEncourages joy of play that increases participationMusic is highly motivatingCan encourage socialization, self-expression, attention, communication, and motor developmentCan stimulate cognitive functioning and assist with remediation of speech skills as music is processed on both hemispheres of brainHow does Music Therapy work?Inherent order of music maintains structureMakes learning more fun than workRhythms organize our brains.Engages multiple areas of brain functioningIncreases attention to taskVocal use and rhythms can regain focus in a de-railed group situation

How does Music Therapy work?Provides a mnemonic device Music as a reinforcer increases non-music behaviors Music Listening as a relaxation tool Reading/Singing books to increase rhythmical language of the text and increase retentionOrganizing the brain and maintaining structureA strong therapeutic relationship promotes wellness

Music and the BrainSimple music listening (provided by an MT) shifts frontal asymmetries. Meaning there is more left/right equalization after listening.Important because in cases of brain damage/brain malfunctioning, skills can be taught across the brain rather than right/left hemisphere.A healing brain heals more quickly with auditory stimuli.Processing of musical pulse activates motor areas in the brain, supporting the idea that music and movement are closely intertwined.

Ala-Ruona E. et. al., 2008.Music and the BrainLimbic areas of the brain, known to be associated with emotions, were found to be involved in rhythm and tonality processing.When humans are involved in music as a social activity (i.e. sing-alongs and duets and such), there is increased blood flow to the areas of the brain that are associated with pleasure vs. when one is merely listening to music (not as much blood flow to those areas).Music affects the entire brain, activating areas all over the brain.Musical Development in ChildrenWhile a child develops, their musicality develops concurrently.

While we learn to walk and talk, we learn to dance and sing.

We use music throughout our lives to celebrate and remember important moments.New Research out of FinlandBabies Are Born To Boogie (MSNBC News)Researchers took a group of babies and played several types of music for themThe researchers and trained ballet dancers analyzed the movements to musicThey found that babies are born knowing how to danceThe dancing was not always perfectOnce they found the beat, they smiled more. Strategies You Can IncorporateGet ready to sing and play instruments!

Gross MotorGross motor:Songs for steady gate or music assisted gaitSongs for tossing/catching ballsSongs for specific physical positionsMusic with strong downbeat for marchingMusic with directions in lyrics. Hokey Pokey!Moving arms/legs to touch instrumentsAct out stories or songs physically (like with puppets)

10Songs You Can BuyGreg and Steve:Cant Sit StillThe FreezeThe Body RockListen and MoveJim Gill:Shakin EverywhereToe Leg KneeHap Palmer:Country Stop and StartFine Motor SkillsFine motor: Use instruments with mallets Songs to cross midlineSongs to assist in holding writing utensilsSongs to assist cuttingSongs to assist picking up small objectsSongs to encourage coloring/cutting/etc. that turn the task into a stop and go game or fast and slow game12PsychologicalRelaxation music for difficult timesKeep it soft enough that you have to be quiet to hear it. Songs that are generally uppers or downersThink of music that brings you up or down. Cardio workout music compared to slow dance music. Songs to help regulate and self regulatePreemptive learning : social stories set to music/song:When I am calm my hands are in my lap, my voice is quiet and I breath slowly. In the moment regulation: Sometimes sing, sometimes dont. You know your kids. 13Sensory SkillsInstruments of different timbres (sounds), shapes, textures, etc. Songs used while brushing, giving deep pressure, etc.Songs used with equipmentTherapy ballTrampolineMatsSongs that involved using the body in different ways for movement breaks:Stomping, Clapping, Jumping, Spinning, etc.Clapping Land (on Youtube: Mister Whiskers)14Cognitive SkillsAcademicsMath skills: Songs for colors, shapes, counting, creating/identifying sets, patternsReading skills: Songs for identifying letters, identifying letter sounds, sight words, comprehension, sung storiesPersonal information: Songs for remembering address, phone number, namePneumonic device: ABC song15Songs You can BuyGreg and SteveABC RockNumber RockMonths of the YearDays of the WeekJim GillJumping and CountingColor GameBarbara MilneApple Apple AAA BehaviorImpulse controlPlaying instruments or singing on cue. Stop, Wait and Go songs (physically or musically)Stretching out the time they have to wait until they can play or move againFollowing directionsSung directions and Rules songsSongs for stand up, sit down, wash your handsRules songs/chantsTransitionsCheck your scheduleLocation specific songs

17Social SkillsHey theres another person in this roomMaking music together as a group, copying each others music/style of playing/way of playingGreetingsHello songs and Goodbye songs, gradually fading music if neededTurn takingOnly give out one instrument and everyone has to take turns playing it during their turnEveryone has instruments, waiting for their turn to play

18Receptive CommunicationSongs to assist with directions Put on/under/beside/next to/etc.Attention grabbing sounds/songs to use before giving a directiveSongs for listening/social stories set to songMusic allows for natural repetition of directions

19Expressive CommunicationMaking song or instrument choicesUsing visuals paired with songs/choicesLeaving blanks in songs to be filled by the studentEcho songsSing alongs

20Speech and Language SkillsIncrease vocabularyIncrease vocalizationsIncrease audibilityIncrease auditory discriminationArticulation Intonation

Singing Sounds by Cathy BolingerMarvelous Mouth MusicTalking Tunes

21Resources:YouTube! If youre in a home with internet access, use it! YouTube has over 500,000 childrens music videos on their site. Type childrens music into the search.West Music- www.westmusic.com or 1-800-397-9378. Suggested items: Bollinger CDs, Hartman CDs, Music for Relaxation, Classroom Links. They have an MT-BC and education consultants on staff to assist you.www.SongsforTeaching.com or 1-800-649-5514Utilize Google.there are very few things you cant find on the internet!Resourceshttp://www.songsforteaching.com/speechtherapy/www.talkingtunes.netwww.childrenspublishing.comwww.tunedintolearning.orgwww.precisionsongs.comwww.expresstrain.orgwww.musictherapyconnections.orgwww.westmusic.comhttp://www.youtube.com/user/HarryKindergarten

When to Contact UsSee Pre-Assessment Guidelines

Is the child making progress with current related services, accommodations, modifications in place?When music is used in class, does the student respond more appropriately? (Increased attention, more willingness to work, more appropriate behavior, etc.)Music increases their communication/language skillsMusic increases their social skillsWhat Will HappenInformal ObservationPermission to assess is NOT needed An MT will come out and observe and speak with youIf the MT feels an assessment is warranted, the MT will request a permission to assess

AssessmentStudent will be observed working on IEP skills in classStudent will then be pulled for an assessment sessionTherapist will compare data to determine service

Questions????If you think of something later, please feel free to e-mail me:

nrittercantesanu@bcps.orgSteps to finding us: Go to: www.bcps.orgClick Our SystemClick OfficesClick Special EducationClick Related ServicesClick Music Therapy

Email us: Western side: Gabby nrittercantesan@bcps.orgEastern side: Kari kroy2@bcps.org