For the families who are beginning to map out their child’s summer plan, consider Marylhurst’s Creative Arts Day Camp as one of your options. As a Marylhurst graduate and previous Creative Arts Day CampAssistant Director, I strongly recommend this program!
The Creative Arts Day Camp for children with and without special needs is a one-week, half-day program where children have access to creative arts therapists (music, art, drama, poetry, dance/movement). Campers will participate in projects that reinforce the ideal of achieving one’s maximum potential in a friendly and adaptive environment that fosters success.
July 13 – 16, 2015 for children aged 5-9
July 20 – 23, 2015 for children aged 10-13
I have a client who loves balloons and her speech and occupational therapists seized this opportunity to work on some of her goals within their sessions. The family was excited to show me how she can blow a balloon up on her own, but at that particular moment in time, she wanted someone else to blow up the balloon. So we helped her. Then we thought that she wanted to let the balloon go, so we did that and blew it up again while encouraging her to use language like, “Blow up my balloon, please.” And then a meltdown occurred and we finally realized that she wanted us to tie that balloon. You can imagine her frustration.
As a music therapist, I have the opportunity to create songs that encourage more language and comprehension. Within this creation process, some of the most important aspects I’m focusing upon include:
What kind of music does this child respond to the best? upbeat or slow, soft, predictable, or full of changes and surprises.
What can we do with this balloon? With the support of the family and allied health professionals, I can create language around as many aspects of this balloon as possible: blowing, bouncing, letting it go, popping it, tying, colors, sizes, hanging on so it doesn’t blow away.
What are some things that appeal to this particular client? The main character of this story treats her balloon like a companion. She caresses it and speaks to it. She was heard saying, “Be careful, you’ll fall down,” while in the backseat of the car. If you’re a parent, share this information with your music therapist. If you’re a music therapist, use this language within the song and expand upon it.
Here are the lyrics. They are also incorporated into the video to provide visual support as well.
I like balloons. B A L L O O N S
I like balloons. What can I do with mine?
I can blow it up, just a little
it stays very small.
I can blow it up, really big
it takes a lot of air.
I like balloons. B A L L O O N S
I like balloons. What can I do with mine?
I can let it go and watch it blow around the room really fast
I can let it go, but still hang on as it blows air on my face.
I like balloons. B A L L O O N S
I like balloons. What can I do with mine?
I can bounce it around in the air and hit it again before it falls
I can squeeze it close to my body and give it a little hug
I can cover it with a scarf and make it a different color.
I like balloons. B A L L O O N S
I like balloons. What can I do with mine?
I can get different colors: Red, orange or yellow
blue, green, or purple,
any color I can imagine.
I like balloons. B A L L O O N S
I like balloons. What can I do with mine?
If we’re outside we have to be careful so the balloon doesn’t fall.
If we’re outside we have to hang on so it doesn’t float away.
I like balloons. B A L L O O N S
I like balloons. What can I do with mine?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4S0Az0rnRDw
Hello, families. I hope that all is going well as your kids transition into the school year. Music Therapy Services of Portland will continue to hold monthly groups on the 2nd Saturday of the month. Registration for the September 14th groups is available here.
If you’re interested in weekly or bi-weekly groups, please send me an email. There are families already interested and we’re just waiting for the right match for a sustainable music therapy group.
Dr. Petra Kern just released the latest edition of imagine, the online magazine dedicated to early childhood music therapy. There is a special section for parents that might prove helpful. Check it out here: Parents section of imagine.
SpecialCare Planning team just released information about Lights Up Sound Down: Sensory Friendly Movies. They’re showing Cloudy with a side of meatballs on October 5th in Beaverton. This event is free for families with a special needs child.
Finally, here’s the latest edition of My Favorite Apps.
Have a wonderful month and I look forward to seeing many of you soon!
Big Sky Music Therapy 