by Alisabeth Hopper | Jun 14, 2016 | Materials & Supplies, MTC, Tips & Tricks
I love exploring music with my clients, but being musical doesn’t always have to mean holding an instrument or tapping a drum. By bringing in different manipulatives, even non-musical ones, we can utilize three dimensional visuals, attend to sensory needs, and even save a few dollars. Which, let’s face it, is always a plus!
Stuffed animals are fantastic for working on counting, animal identification, and motor skills. Whether it be “Ten Little Monkeys Jumping On The Drum”, or “Down on Grandpa’s Farm” stuffed animals can be used to facilitate academic topics while utilizing fine and gross motor skills.
What I love most about stuffed animals as manipulatives is that they cater to sensory needs. They incline a client to squeeze them, push and pull them, and self-monitor their sensory needs. When I know that a client has additional sensory needs I like to give them ideal options and ways to fulfill those needs, and self-monitor those needs all while addressing the goal area and specific objectives. I like to bring multiple textures, densities, and overall options as possible. Its all about choice, and seeing when the sensory options are a comfort versus a distraction.
Stuffed animals are just one of the many ways that we can think outside the box to provide a broad encompassing care for our clients and students. They are easily accessible and available in a variety of textures, colors, and characters. I would consider stuffed animals one of my must haves in my music therapy materials kit! What about you? How do you think out of the box for your students and clients?
by Alisabeth Hopper | Jun 2, 2016 | Parents, Resources
At Music Therapy Connections, we work with students of all ages and abilities. Based upon those things we can place a new student into the best situation for their growth, whether that be a class, lesson, or adaptive lesson. I think I can speak for our team when I say that it brings us great joy to know that we can provide services for the entire family — from newborns to grandparents!
Many parents want to know, how do you know when a child is ready for lessons? Here are three things we look for to find your young learner the best fit.
1. When it comes to both piano and guitar lessons, it is very important that a student can count to four, visually identify letters A through G, and preferably be able to identify their left hand from right. All of these are important foundational skills to build on in lessons.
2. For any kind of lesson it is important to ask, “Can my student be engaged with one activity for thirty minutes?” This can be a challenge for many four to six year olds beginning lessons.
3. Finally, we don’t usually begin guitar lessons until the age of at least seven. Why? Well, unlike with piano, a new learner needs to have large enough hands to be able to form chords with proper technique so that they don’t injure themselves. Guitar can also test a new student’s patience as it can even be painful when first beginning. For our future guitarists under the age of seven, we recommend starting with piano and growing a nice framework of knowledge to build on later.
In general, if a child is still growing in one of these areas or has additional needs, we would consider their lessons adaptive. This is because we are adapting our approach, creating different materials, and utilizing multiple mediums to provide them with the best lesson experience possible, regardless of their prior knowledge and experience.
Is your child ready for lessons? Click here to learn more and register for the summer session.
by Alisabeth Hopper | May 17, 2016 | Materials & Supplies, Parents
This year I have had the pleasure of working with some of our youngest pianists and helping them grow in their skills. With this has come many questions about which piano is right for a given student and how to know where to begin the purchase process as a parent. Those questions have inspired this beginner piano buyer’s guide!
Number of Keys- These can vary but the most common is a 61-key and an 88-key. These are measured by how many keys are on the piano. A 61-key keyboard is smaller and will be lower in cost and vice-versa for an 88-key. Eventually a student will need an 88-key piano or adapt music, but this doesn’t need to happen until book 2 or 3.
Brand Name- The most common brand names offering affordable keyboards are Yamaha and Casio. These are both wonderful and reliable brands. With these you can’t go wrong.
Accessories- There are so many accessories that can be used with your keyboard here are a few that you should consider:
- Piano Bench or Seat- these are usually adjustable along with the height of the keyboard.
- Keyboard Stand- Most keyboards come with a stand. I would recommend checking to make sure because this is a must!
- Music Stand- Keyboards should come with a music stand, attached to the top of the keyboard to hold music at a comfortable level. Once again, this is a must have.
- Weighted Keys and Key Size- Key size is very important. You should check to see that they haven’t slimmed the keys on your keyboard to provide for ease of transition from practice to lessons and performance. Also, there are a large variety of keyboards out there that have weighted keys. Weighted keys require more resistance when playing to more closely relate to the feel an acoustic piano.
Altogether your choice will largely depend upon whether you would like to get a starter piano or something more long term. I still use my 88-Key keyboard that I started my piano journey with 12 years ago. My recommendation would be, if it is within your price range, to invest in an 88-key keyboard. You don’t need an upright piano, or a keyboard with all of the bells and whistles to give your child what they need to excel in their music lessons.
Best of luck in your piano buying journey!
by Alisabeth Hopper | May 4, 2016 | Materials & Supplies, MTC
I love working with instruments. I could entertain myself all day with a djembe, guitar, piano, and an endless supply of sheet music. But sometimes my students and clients don’t share my endless love for all things instrumental so… what else is there? Well, I’m glad you asked!
- Musical Props and Manipulators- Hello Connect-a-band! This category is a great love of mine. I make use the stretchy band and parachute with almost every group and music class. These are great for gross motor movement and getting those jiggles out! A few other great options include bean bags, streamers, scarves, and of course- the balloon ball.
- Stuffed Animals and Adapted Toys- Stuffed animals are a great way to create a different sensory experience with common instruments. Like playing stuffed animals on a drum for “5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed” or “5 Green and Speckled Frogs.” Even large bean bags can be a great way to provide a new musical experience.
- Laminated Visuals- This is something that our team has been doing for the last year. For each class session we have written a special seasonal song accompanied by five visual counting aids. We have done everything from flowers to trees, and raindrops to snowflakes. What is truly wonderful is seeing our class grow in their counting skills as we work together. If you would like to check out our counting books and songs, click here.
If you are a parent of a young child, check out our Listen & Learn for Little Ones class. Led by board-certified music therapists, this class is structured to support growth in play and musical exploration! Come join us!
by Alisabeth Hopper | Apr 26, 2016 | Materials & Supplies, MTC, Resources
Pinterest is well known for being the place where connoisseurs of the latest and greatest information get lost in endless pages of ideas, projects, and graphics. Most people use it as a way to explore their hobbies, but did you know that Pinterest can also be used as an effective tool for marketing, collaborating, and even research?
What is the purpose of Pinterest? For those of you who have never used this platform, Pinterest is basically a virtual cork board where you can use “pins” or graphical links to put on a “board” which you can label and is now saved in your account. One of my favorite boards right now is my “sensory” board which focuses on resources related to sensory awareness, care, tools and more. My favorite place to get resources about sensory needs is from pin boards about Occupational Therapy. Which brings me to my next point…
Why should I use another social media platform? My absolute favorite use for Pinterest is to collaborate! Now, of course it is hugely beneficial to collaborate with local professionals when you can, but in the case that those resources are not present or available Pinterest allows you to share ideas with others, professionals included!
But more than anything else, Pinterest is a great tool for advocating! There are already pages upon pages of informational graphics about what Music Therapy is, who provides Music Therapy, and why it is effective. When these images are re-pinned they become more and more popular and are then seen more and more. In the end there are so many uses and benefits to using Pinterest as a Music Therapist that I didn’t even touch on.
There are endless possibilities.
