Multiple modalities: reflections on creatively optimising supports in age specific Sing&Grow group programs
Tracks
Stream 3
| Friday, September 6, 2024 |
| 11:30 AM - 11:50 AM |
| Room 3 |
Speaker
Dr Alison Stewart
Clinical Specialist/Casual Academic
Sing&Grow/WSU
Multiple modalities: reflections on creatively optimising supports in age specific Sing&Grow group programs
Abstract Overview
This presentation will share personal reflections on my ever-evolving music therapy practise within Sing&Grow service delivery.
In recent years, professional development has been influenced by the increasing requests to facilitate group programs for age specific infants, e.g. families with babies aged 6-8 months old, instead of the typical 0-5 years old wider age range. Such narrow age range has provided unique opportunity to more precisely customise therapeutic delivery to better support specific developmental stages, and parents’ efforts to support their infant’s development within the Sing&Grow framework, which is well understood and documented in various literature (Nicholson, et al., 2008; Savage, et al., 2022; Stewart, 2021; Teggelove, 2017).
To build upon current knowledge, I completed courses in infant massage, primitive reflexes and sensory integration. I had two main goals: (1) to better understand how to support all aspects of early child development, especially considering the role of primitive reflexes and the sensory system in laying important foundations, and (2) to integrate this knowledge within music therapy sessions. The overall aim was to ensure that all activities offered in my sessions had therapeutic purpose and optimal developmental benefit to the children, while remaining authentic to the core goals, values and philosophy of Sing&Grow.
Working toward this aim has involved many considerations and challenges, such as: identifying suitable activities that are practical within the Sing&Grow context, adapting activities into musical play, communicating and transmitting educative messages to parents in a way that is responsive to family capacity, and being mindful of spontaneously seizing teachable moments to disseminate educative messages.
In this presentation I will share the ideas, strategies and activities that have worked well to integrate my new learnings through demonstrations, photos and videos of music therapy sessions.
In recent years, professional development has been influenced by the increasing requests to facilitate group programs for age specific infants, e.g. families with babies aged 6-8 months old, instead of the typical 0-5 years old wider age range. Such narrow age range has provided unique opportunity to more precisely customise therapeutic delivery to better support specific developmental stages, and parents’ efforts to support their infant’s development within the Sing&Grow framework, which is well understood and documented in various literature (Nicholson, et al., 2008; Savage, et al., 2022; Stewart, 2021; Teggelove, 2017).
To build upon current knowledge, I completed courses in infant massage, primitive reflexes and sensory integration. I had two main goals: (1) to better understand how to support all aspects of early child development, especially considering the role of primitive reflexes and the sensory system in laying important foundations, and (2) to integrate this knowledge within music therapy sessions. The overall aim was to ensure that all activities offered in my sessions had therapeutic purpose and optimal developmental benefit to the children, while remaining authentic to the core goals, values and philosophy of Sing&Grow.
Working toward this aim has involved many considerations and challenges, such as: identifying suitable activities that are practical within the Sing&Grow context, adapting activities into musical play, communicating and transmitting educative messages to parents in a way that is responsive to family capacity, and being mindful of spontaneously seizing teachable moments to disseminate educative messages.
In this presentation I will share the ideas, strategies and activities that have worked well to integrate my new learnings through demonstrations, photos and videos of music therapy sessions.
Biography
Alison is a music therapist, casual academic, and private tutor, who is passionate about helping people be the best they can be, particularly in the area of attachment, parent-child relationships, early child development and family support. She has a penchant for studying and learning. After completing her PhD exploring how the experience of mother-infant singing interaction contributes to attachment, she continued on to additional qualifications, such as Circle of Security and Infant Massage, which she incorporates into her therapy work. Her goal is to utilise all her learnings to empower parents, carers, children and students to reach their full potential.
