I recently participated in the Adams County Library’s FunFest.

Doesn’t the name FunFest just sound like a good time?

It really was.

FunFest is a free event hosted by the library system that celebrates the kick-off of their summer reading program. Community organizations and businesses host vendor booths with activities for children and information for parents.

My girls were excited about the milkshakes and balloon art, and I was excited to host my very first vendor booth so I could make connections with people in the community.

There’s something about being in Pennsylvania, and more specifically Gettysburg, that makes me want to dive in and be part of a community.

We’ve been here less than a year, and at the event I saw countless people I knew and recognized – librarians, families from my girls’ soccer teams, art therapists I’ve co-treated with.

This year’s theme was Oceans of Possibilities, so all the activities offered at vendor booths were ocean-themed.

I decided to have four activities that demonstrated how music therapy works (and boy was it hard to narrow those down!)

Here were the activities I offered:

Rainbow Hand Bells – Demonstrating how music therapy can improve cognition and academic skills.

Children were instructed to follow a color coded notation sheet and play the corresponding hand bell, and then Name The Tune (which was the ever popular “Baby Shark”). Then, they were encouraged to create their own song on the bells.

Goals: To improve sustained attention, improve color recognition, and increase executive function skills.

Q-Chord Playing & Singing – Demonstrating how music therapy can improve communication skills.

Children were instructed to follow a notation sheet and play the corresponding letters on the Q-chord.

Then, they were encouraged to sing (to the tune of “Wheels on the Bus”): The fish in the sea they swim, swim, swim; swim, swim, swim; swim, swim, swim. The fish in the sea they swim, swim, swim, all day long.

Goals: To increase receptive communication (direction following), increase expressive language, and improve articulation.

Multisensory Beach Basket – Demonstrating how music therapy can provide multisensory stimulation.

Children were instructed to pick up and play the instruments and items in the sensory basket. Items included: plush fish, spiky fish, sea shells, squirt bottle, bubbles, sun screen, and ocean drums.

Then, they were encouraged to sing (to the tune of “Shoo Fly”): What does the shell feel like? What does the shell feel like? What does the shell feel like? Is it rough or is it smooth?

Goals: To provide multisensory stimulation.

Drumming and Ocean Waves with the Parachute – Demonstrating how music therapy can improve motor skills.

Children were instructed to play the drum, then pick up the parachute and make waves as they sing: The ocean waves go up and down, up and down, up and down; the ocean waves go up and down, all day long.

Goals: To improve fine and gross motor skills, improve bilateral coordination, and increase strength and endurance.

I had a continuous stream of families visiting the booth, reading and learning about music therapy, and trying out all the instruments and activities.

What a wonderful way to introduce myself to the community and share about the benefits of music therapy!

If you are interested in music therapy services for your school or program, please reach out to me via our contact form or by email: Amy@WHmusictherapy.com

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In last week’s blog post, I shared about the library programs we offer at the Miami-Dade County Library System ~ Rockin’ & Readin’ (a music therapy program that targets literacy skills) and Baby & Toddler Rock (both developmental music programs).

I’m thrilled that we announced that we JUST received funding to expand and offer these programs at the Brockway Memorial Library System in Miami Shores!

I did a trial session there in April and we had a fantastic turnout. So, I am thrilled to be going back throughout the summer and early fall to do some rockin’ and readin’.

Here is our 2015 schedule:

When: Mondays 11:00 – 11:45am
Session Dates: June 1 – September 30, 2015
Program: We will alternate between Baby Rock and Rockin’ & Readin’ every other week
Where: Brockway Memorial Library, 10021 NE 2nd Ave, Miami Shores, FL 33138

I am so excited. My wheels are already turning with new theme and session ideas for these groups. And, I’ve been browsing the library for more books to add to my singable story collection.

Here are some of my favorite original songs to use in my Baby Rock, Toddler Rock and Rockin’ & Readin’ sessions. Click on each icon below to listen – sheet music & MP3s are available!

Music Therapists: Are you interested in starting up a music therapy program or developmental music program at your library? Did you know I offer consultations about starting these programs? If you’re interested in setting up a consultation, visit our consultation page or contact me directly here. I’ve worked with a number of music therapists & educators to get programs started in their area and I’d love to help you get started, too.

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Does it seem interesting that a post about the library starts with the phrase “Rockin’ Out?”

Typically you think about being very, very quiet in the library, but with the music therapy programs offered through Wholesome Harmonies, we are anything but quiet!

Since 2010, I’ve been facilitating music therapy programs at Miami-Dade Public Library System. It all started with a simple phone call and has expanded into offerings for babies, toddlers and children of all abilities (including those with special needs).

Music Therapists & Educators, if you are interested in a consultation about how to start library programs in your area, visit our Consultation Page here.

These are the programs we currently offer at the library:

Rockin’ & Readin’ is a program I created to allow children of all abilities, including those with special needs, to participate in music therapy activities. These sessions target developmental goals and promote literacy through singable stories.

We hold sessions once a month at various library locations throughout the county. Each session includes goal-oriented music therapy experiences centered around a theme (usually based on a holiday or season). And of course, because we’re at the library, each session includes at least one singable story to target literacy skills.

Our last Rockin’ & Readin’ session for this school year is Saturday, June 13, 2015 from 10:30-11:00am at Hialeah Gardens Library.

Baby Rock is a music group for babies (ages 0-18 months) and their caregivers; Toddler Rock is a music group for toddlers (ages 18 months – 3 years) and their caregivers.

In both groups we utilize developmentally appropriate songs and activities to encourage interaction between caregivers and their little ones and to work on basic developmental skills. (We used this Spanish finger play last month and it was a hit!)

During these music groups, babies and toddlers will explore instruments, scarves, shakers, singing, and movement to music to work on growth in the areas of social, communication, physical, and emotional development. All songs are original and live musical accompaniment is provided on guitar, keyboard, and omnichord. It’s always a rockin’ time!

We are pleased to announce our 2015 summer offerings of Baby & Toddler Rock (combined), which will take place at the Miami Beach Library on the following dates from 10:30-11:00am:

Wednesday, June 10
Wednesday, June 24
Wednesday, July 1
Wednesday, July 15

These programs are funded by the library and/or grants, so the public can attend for free. Offering these programs has been a fantastic way to introduce the community to music therapy and what we have to offer children and families through music.

The really exciting part is that the Brockway Memorial Library has contacted me because they are interested in offering Baby & Toddler Sessions at their library branch (which is not part of the Miami-Dade County system).

I’ll keep you posted on upcoming session dates!

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