I have not formally introduced myself. My name is Chaney.
I am Mary’s mom. Mary turned 5 in October. She loves music, horses, Dora and going outside. Mary uses a DynaVox VMax for the majority of her communication. She also has a trach and a g-tube. Mary is diagnosed with Arthrogryposis, Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum, a seizure disorder and various brain abnormalities. Overall, she is pretty comical, creative and brilliant, I’d say.
TodayI am volunteering in Mary’s classroom. (Well, that isn’t the whole truth… I can’t find a nurse to fill in for my regulars… I have to go with Mary or she can’t go to school.) Anyhoo… Today I am bringing my guitar to her classroom and will do a music therapy session. I met with her teacher on Thursday and we talked a little bit. Apparently Mary is in a “Psycho Class” this year! LOL!!! She is in a regular education Universal Preschool classroom in our home district. It is awesome and I am glad to have her there. It just happens that this year, she has peers who are extremely loud and hyper, with no self-control.
So this is my music therapy plan for a bunch of crazy 4-5 year olds during the holiday season!
1. Waving “Hello Song”
2. “Dreydl Song” with controlled clapping
3. “March of the Toy Soldier” listening with follow-the-leader moving/tapping on body parts
4. Christmas Carols Sing Along while taking turns with instruments
5. “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” with verses about clapping, stomping, tip-toe, etc.
6. “Peace On Earth” listening while relaxing on the floor
7. “Line-Up Song/Good-Bye”
This should take about a half hour, I think. My hope is that some of these things will help the children control themselves in a group situation and the teacher will learn some musical strategies she might be able to use.
At any rate, it should be fun! 🙂