Music To My Ears!

Kate's first music therapy session yesterday afternoon was awesome!  I am SO excited that she is doing this!  Kate could not wait to get there.  As we talked about going to this new music class, Kate smiled and signed that she was very excited. When I asked her if she was excited, she said, "Yeah!"  From the minute we walked in the door, Kate was all smiles.  She was not shy at all (which is her usual response when meeting someone for the first time).   Her instructor greeted us and immediately engaged Kate.  She took her hand and they sang as they walked up the steps to her Music Room.  The room was inviting and peaceful.  It was surrounded by windows with a piano to one side, a beautiful tree nestled in the corner with lights strung from the branches and a few cool looking drums strategically hidden behind the branches (keeping it less distracting to the students).  There was a little table and two chairs with a variety of instruments placed upon it, egg shakers, drums that looked like lollipops, and bells.  Her instructor immediately sat at the piano and invited Kate to play and sing along with her.  Kate loved it!  She sang her name, sounds, words, etc.  Kate played along initially and then giggling she started to roam the house usually with an instrument in hand.  Her instructor would sing a song or play a new beat to see if Kate would echo it and come back. Sure enough, some times she echoed it and she always came back to check out this new sound.  Since I was on a tight time frame, we did not get to speak much after the lesson, but sure enough as soon as I arrived home there was a message from her instructor saying how delighted she was to meet Kate and me and that "Kate is clearly a music child."  :)  I know this is the beginning of something powerful and fun!  As I learn more about Music Therapy, I will share it.  I will try to get a few photos at our next lesson in two weeks.  Kate was on the run, so it was a little challenging to get a clear photo.  Stay tuned for more!

Cheers,
Anna

Music Therapy - Our First Encounter

I am really excited about our first music therapy session tomorrow afternoon!  I have heard the term "Music Therapy" mentioned throughout the past three years of Kate's therapy and I always wondered what that really meant.  What IS music therapy?  How is it used to help people?  Are there specific tones or rythms to address different issues?  Months ago, maybe even a year ago, my Mom and I were speaking about Kate's speech.  She was and still is only saying a few words like Momma, Dadda, More, etc.  She has really increased her "word approximations" and uses sign language to communicate her needs to us.  Kate loves music and through the Signing Time videos that teach sign language using great visuals, music and lyrics, she has really taught herself probably 100 signs (maybe more).  Granted we have done hand over hand signing with her (where we placed our hands on hers to show her how to make the sign say for milk or more, while also saying the word) and we have watched the videos with her, as well as use the signs to communicate.  Why do I mention this?  I think one of the reasons why she has learned so much from these signing videos is because she loves music and she loves to dance, both things these videos include in their production.  In speaking with my Mom about her speech, about Signing Time, about her love for music...my Mom said, "You just need to find the key for Kate and her speach will come."  Ding!  A light bulb went off!  Music.  I think music is going to be the key or an important key to help Kate with her speach and other developmental areas.  We always incorporate songs in all therapy areas to help Kate accomplish different things...speach, fine motor skills, physical therapy, cognitive development...and it works.  So, this is why I am soooo very excited to have finally found a Music Therapist and to learn how to effectively use music to tap into Kate's potential and help unlock those doors for speech and cognitive development.  For my husband and I, our two most important developmental goals for Kate are making sure her brain is stimulated and developing as it should, and that her speach is progressing so that she will be able to use words to clearly communicate.  So, stay tuned.  I will share what I learn!