Special Needs

Let's Play Music

Anybody heard of this or have any first-hand experience? 

I took DD1 to a sample class last night, and I think we're going to sign her up for the first year (it's a three-year program). We've been doing a music therapy class with her, but this is more about music theory/building blocks for reading music & eventually playing piano in the second & third year. It's a small class (5-6 kids) rather than one-on-one lessons. 

They did a lot of songs and group games, and DD1's face just lit up. Sometimes it's hard to tell if she's enjoying herself, and that alone probably would have sold me, even if I didn't think that music is something that appeals to her or that we should try (which I do). Even just practicing singing scales, I think is going to be great for her inflection, as well as the work in paying attention to other people to sing with/keep rhythm with a group. 

The woman who teaches has an education degree and a few other students on the spectrum. I also liked that there is a mix of NT and kids with SN (there was at least one other kid with SN at the sample class). 

I'm kind of excited about this. Has anyone else done something similar? 

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DD1, 1/5/2008 ~~~ DD2, 3/17/2010

Re: Let's Play Music

  • Also, the teacher just called me a little while ago and recommended one time-slot in particular b/c she has some girls the same age that she thinks DD1 would mesh with, after meeting her. I was looking at that time anyway, but I really appreciate the outreach on the social aspects. 
    image

    DD1, 1/5/2008 ~~~ DD2, 3/17/2010
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  • Auntie, she's sounding out unfamiliar words, but her memory is so good that it's hard to tell at times how much she's reading and how much is remembering. Part of this course is teaching music reading. 

    We had her music therapy class tonight and she immediately told her teacher that she had gone to a different music class, the name of the other teacher, and demonstrated one of the songs, pitch-perfect. LOL. I think I'll be sending in the registration tomorrow. :)

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    DD1, 1/5/2008 ~~~ DD2, 3/17/2010
  • I'm a music therapist. What you described in your first post doesn't sound like a music therapy class. It sounds more like a music education class. Any "music therapy" class should be led by a music therapist rather than a music educator. They're just completely different areas and uses of music. A music therapy class would focus more on socialization, communication, attention, and behavior. Its always awesome to hear of music educators who are open to working with SN kids and considering group dynamics between SN kids and NT kids. It sounds like you have a great teacher leading the group you're in. I just wanted to make a distinction between music therapy and music education.
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