Developing Melodies | Early Childhood Music Therapy | Tiny Melodies

Who doesn’t like a good parachute???

May 072012

I have been using a parachute in my group practice since my internship (almost 7 years ago, EEK!). Not only a parachute, but I have been pretty diligent in using a specific song for any parachute work I do! Why? Because this song touches on all of the goals that I am looking to achieve within the group. Early Childhood lends itself to some pretty standard goal areas, one of which is overall gross motor movement. Parachutes are the perfect way to achieve full motion in a group setting. After several years of the pretty much using the same song, I had decided to elicit the help of the “Music Therapists Unite!” Facebook group (a group for and by Music Therapists!), it’s kind of like an updated list-serve.

I just put it out there:

And I received several responses from Music Therapist’s around the country within minutes! It sparked quite the idea share, so I made it a bit simpler to read (names, places and such have been removed).

CLICK HERE to get your copy!

What activities, interventions and songs do you utilize in your groups?

Pizza Garden, Here We Go!

May 022012

This past week has been a ton of fun in recording land! One of the classes that I see has been busy doing a “dining out” type project and most recently they have landed on PIZZA! Naturally, my head started spinning with all of the ideas we could do musically as we discussed and learned [...]

Cleaning: Toddler Style

Apr 302012

Last week, as the kids were playing and making a perfectly toddler-ific mess, my friend asked me: “How did you teach Farrah to clean?” I started scratching my head, because for a moment, I really had no idea. But then I started tracing back to her developmental milestones (yay education) and things we do [...]

Anatomy of a Children’s Song

Apr 022012

If you have ever sat in on one of my Music Therapy sessions or Early Childhood music classes, you know that I love a good children’s song. You may also have been present to hear an “on the spot” creation. Sometimes, the families and educators and therapists in my sessions have been shocked when I [...]

Reduce, Reuse, Instrumental?

Mar 122012

More often then not, I (DevelopingDad) find myself trying to find ways around the issue of funding in the music classroom as well as ways to get a hold of some new instruments. With the help of some good publications and a little resourcefulness this can be possible for parents, teachers and therapists. This week [...]

Busy, Busy, Busy (and an apology)

Mar 062012

Wow. Time is just flying! I can’t believe it is already March! The Developing Melodies Family both Mom and Dad have been pretty active lately! If you follow us on Twitter or Facebook then you know just how busy we have been! (You can also see it above… each colored circle represents a busy time, names [...]

Many Little Hearts, Many Little Moves

Feb 092012

Let me preface this post in saying that I am NOT a rap artist, nor do I aspire to be. However, the kids love what I do and we all get a nice laugh and good time out of it. That being said, let me introduce you to the Many Little Hearts, Many Little Moves rap [...]

Pinterest and You

Jan 302012

Have you joined Pinterest yet? Pinterest is the most wonderful time-suck in the world. Seriously, this is even more addictive than following your friends on facebook, twitter, linkedIn and google+ combined! But, let me tell you, it is soooo much better. This is a one stop shop for everything including ideas for food, sewing, education, [...]

In The Mood for Printables

Jan 232012

I couldn’t help myself. I was scouting Etsy and Pinterest one day and saw some really adorable prints. I decided that I, too, could get creative. I had a few moments to spare and came up with these. For your own copies contact me and I’d be happy to send them your way. Do you [...]

Watercolor Drawings

Jan 162012

Last year, around this time, we painted with watercolors and it was a very free experience. While we have painted with watercolors several times in between, we decided to take it to the next level this time. We added a shape element. I know very few, if any, toddlers who can paint or color within [...]

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