Music Therapy: Learning with Music for the Preschool Child

1. Music Therapy: Learning with Music for the Preschool Child Nancy Rodo, MT-BC Kari Roy, MT-BC Baltimore County Public Schools

2. Music Therapy- The use of music to therapeutically address functioning areas: • Physical • Psychological • Cognitive • Behavioral • Social

3. How does a child obtain MT services on their IEP? • Email Kari Roy at kroy2@bcps.org-SE,NE,Central • Email Nancy Rodo at nrodo@bcps.org-SW,NW,Central • Use MT guidelines to determine if an informal pre-assessment visit is needed by the MT-BC • Schedule an informal visit by the MT-BC to watch behaviors with/without music and review IEP progress • The MT-BC will determine if an assessment is needed • Permission to assess is signed and assessment completed in 60 days • Direct service- more than ½ tested objectives are assisted with music • Consult service- less than ½ tested objectives are assisted with music

4. Why does MT work? • Music is powerful and nonthreatening • Multi modal to stimulate all senses • Encourages joy of play that increases participation • Music is highly motivating • Can encourage socialization, self-expression, attention, communication, and motor development • Can stimulate cognitive functioning and assist with remediation of speech skills as music is processed on both hemispheres of brain • Inherent order of music maintains structure • Makes learning more “fun” than work

5. Chart review Parent interview Teacher interview Specialist interview Selection of IEP objectives MT observation of teacher/student on IEP objectives MT conducts MT session testing same IEP objectives Comparison of nonmusic and music results Recommendation SEMTAP-Special Education Music Therapy Assessment Process

6. Functional Academics MT

7. Choice songs Transition songs Picking songs I need more songs Echo songs Songs with repetitive words, phrases Improvisation- let child play instrument, and you imitate playing. Try to slowly change music, and see if student can imitate you Music directions for tasks Communication

8. Gross Motor Skills • Music with strong downbeat for movement • Music with directions in lyrics- songs asking to walk, march, skip with tempo to match movement • Moving arms/legs to touch instruments • Using music with props- parachutes, balls, scarves, elastic bands • Music assisted gait- walking to music at desired gail tempo

9. Fine Motor Skills • Songs to hold a crayon/pencil- see MT link on BCPS website • Songs to cut with scissors- see MT link on BCPS website • Use instruments with mallets to help grasp

10. Behavioral Needs • Relaxation music- use slow tempo classical music, Calming Rhythms 3 CD from Rhythmic Entrainment Institute www.reiinstitute.com. • Use music as reward-offer listening corner or favorite instrument • Music in background to assist attention- use Calming Rhythms 3 CD

11. Resources • West Music- www.westmusic.com or 1-800-397-9378. Suggested items: Bollinger CD’s, Hartman CD’s, Music for Relaxation, Classroom Links. They have an MT-BC and education consultants on staff to assist you. • www.SongsforTeaching or 1-800-649-5514 • American Music Therapy Association www.musictherapy.org or 301-589-5175