Kindermusik educator (and board certified music therapist), Whitney Ostercamp, posted the below after attending the American Therapy Music Association’s (AMTA) annual conference:
Whew! What a conference! It was an amazing weekend of learning, sharing, and networking with other music therapists. It’s an exciting time for music therapy as more research on music and cognition is becoming readily available. I couldn’t help but notice how much information from this conference is applicable to any Kindermusik studio. Here are my top ten tips from the AMTA conference that will easily transfer to your Kindermusik studio:
10. Be sure to know what skills your typically developing kiddos should be able to do. If they aren’t there, you know what skills they need to develop.
9. Go from simple movements to more complex movements when working with preschoolers.
8. Remember to follow the child’s interest. Are they loving a particular song? How can you expand what they’re doing to further meet their needs?
7. Implement “heavy work” when you can. For more ideas, visit http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/heavy-work-activities.html
6. Be sure to consider how parents support a child’s development.
5. Really make your transitions good, especially when working with kids with special needs.
4. Repetition, repetition, repetition!
3. Develop proficiency in technology, as it is becoming so vital to any musical career.
2. Don’t forget how important routine is to child development.
1. Love your job!
Minds On Music – The Kindermusik Blog
For three generations, Kindermusik has helped millions of children around the world build a strong foundation for a lifetime of learning.