Covid-19 | Upstate Music Therapy Center LLC

Masked Communication: Helping Young Children

by Amy Thomas | Jul 17, 2020

Young children look for emotional cues from caregivers to help interpret the environment. They rely on their caregiver’s facial expressions, tone of voice, and body posture to identify and understand emotions. There is much controversy on mask-wearing and at what age do children need to be masked in public. Regardless, our young children are being exposed to environments where they many times cannot see the bottom portion of the other person’s face, causing difficulty for them to fully understand what is being communicated. In some cases, they are having a difficult time socializing with their peers, which is especially frustrating for them.

Below are a few ideas and tips for helping children identify emotions when your face, your most expressive feature, is covered by a mask. Use these strategies to let children know that behind the mask, a kind and warm expression is still there!

Practice emotional expressions with a mask on in front of a mirror. Pay attention to facial cues that can be seen, body movements, and hand gestures.
Incorporate some simple ASL when teaching emotions. Here is a video to get you started:

Direct children to look at your eyebrows, eyes, body movements, and gestures when talking about emotions. For example, “Look, I am happy. You can’t see my mouth smile, but my cheeks lift up, my eyes crinkle, and my shoulders and arms look like this.”
Increase the use of gestures throughout the day and when talking about emotions (e.g., shoulders shrugged for sad, arms out to indicate a happy mood).
Talk about your feelings as much as possible (e.g., “I am feeling happy that it is almost time to go outside and play.”; “I am feeling sad that it is raining right now.”; “I am feeling excited that we have a new toy in centers today.”).
If using an emotion check-in, encourage all adults in the classroom to participate and check-in when the children do.

Click here for “This is How I Feel Today” visuals.

Be sure to face children and remain nearby when talking to them while wearing a mask. Wearing a mask muffles the speaker’s speech, which can make it more difficult to understand what is said.
Provide an activity for children to practice wearing a mask and making different faces while looking in a mirror or at each other. Point out how their face looks (e.g., eyes, eyebrows).

If your child is experiencing a difficult time with the many changes COVID-19 has created feel free to use the Contact Us Link to speak with one of our therapists. We have many services that might be helpful.

Let’s Go Outside and Hear Some Music!

by Amy Thomas | Jul 2, 2020

The lazy, hazy days of summer are officially upon us. This summer presents a few unique challenges for entertaining our children as many public places, camps, and activities remain closed due to the pandemic. After an entire spring of homeschooling and continued social distancing, it’s safe to say that we all need a little relaxation in our lives. Going outside and hearing the music of nature is a great way to find some peace of mind during these chaotic times.

Notice the sounds

The first step to finding music in nature is to simply hear the sounds. Go outside and listen. This is an ideal opportunity to be mindful. Take a minute to drown out the noise of your inner thoughts, and focus entirely on the sounds of the moment.

Do you hear wind in the trees? How about birds chirping? Maybe you hear some human-made sounds, like the hum of an air conditioner or cars. If you listen closely enough, the sounds of nature will prevail.

Notice the rhythms

A biophony is the collection of sounds that animals make in an environment. Biophonies are the result of not just one animal voice, but all animal voices in a single ecosystem. For example, the calls of birds and croaks of frogs. In the healthiest of ecosystems, all sounds and calls of animals can be heard amongst each other.

A biophony is a natural and authentic orchestra. In our modern world, it is tough to find a healthy ecosystem, and therefore biophony. As such, it is ultra-rewarding to notice those rhythms that stand out over our human-made sounds.

To make a successful biophony, animals make their calls, and sing their songs in different rhythms, so that all might be heard. In an ideal ecosystem, not one voice goes unheard. If the concept of a biophony interests you, check out this audio book by Bernie Krause called: The Great Animal Orchestra: Finding the Origins of Music in the World’s Wild Places.

Look around and play!

If you are a parent or caring for children this summer, turning nature into an instrument can be a great activity.

When you look around, do you see any objects of nature that could be used as instruments? Perhaps start with finding some sticks. Tap them on different places. Do they sound different when you tap them on rocks versus the bark of a tree?

If you are near water or have a bucket you can fill, try grabbing a handful of pebbles and drop them in one-by-one. Plunk, plunk, plunk into the water.

If you live near a sidewalk, take some different materials and see what they sound like when you scratch them on that concrete. How do rocks sound different from sticks?

Need some more inspiration? Check out the music video below made entirely from sounds in nature! We hope you find some music and relaxation in the nature near your home!

Blog submitted by Katie Pistilli

Remote Music Therapy from a Parent’s Perspective

by Amy Thomas | Jun 17, 2020

Behind every child in music therapy, there is an adult who helped them get there. Upstate Music Therapy Center is grateful to all of our parents and guardians who have worked tirelessly to ensure their children are getting the support they need during this time.

Aaron has been receiving music therapy services for ten years now. He has adjusted to new therapists during that time and most recently has worked with Ms. Katie at Newark Education Center. Aaron is an energetic, spunky young man who loves to have a good time. He is full of smiles and laughs. Music therapy is a highly motivating means for Aaron to practice skills to be successful in the academic setting, such as following directions and engaging in conversation with his communication device.

Aaron’s Mom, Laurie, has been a wonderful participant in his music therapy sessions this spring. She is always by his side on teletherapy calls and is one of many parents who has gained a new perspective on what their child’s services in school look like.

For this interview, Aaron’s therapist chatted with Laurie about her experience with music therapy in Aaron’s life, as well as the most recent developments in teletherapy.

How long has your child received music therapy services? Why did you initially want him to start?

Aaron started receiving music therapy around age 3 [he is now 13]. Music would be calming when he got overstimulated and it helped him become more vocal.

What are your child’s favorite instruments and songs? Do you use music in the home with your child?

He likes to play his drums at home and he likes songs fun songs. Aaron will often be heard singing in the car.

Do you have any fun stories about your child and music that you would like to share?

I have enjoyed watching him participate in music. I love how he sings, knows the songs… how he can count the beat and keep the rhythm. I don’t really get to see him in action so I really have enjoyed music with Katie.

How does music therapy help Aaron to communicate?

Aaron can communicate [in music therapy] and Katie encourages Aaron to use his device to talk. Aaron can answer questions and is able to communicate his wants and needs with it.

How has music therapy helped during this period of remote learning?

So many people complain about the tele therapies but I really like to see him in the therapy setting. I am totally amazed at what he does. There is a lot more to music therapy than I thought, such as following the beat, being vocal, counting, listening, following directions, and more.

To Laurie, and all the other parents, guardians, and family members out there who have helped their students with teletherapy during this time, we want to thank you for all you have done. Without your help getting on Zoom calls, coping with technical difficulties, and keeping that calendar organized, we would not be able to do our jobs and provide music therapy to your children. Here’s to a summer of rolling with the changes, and continuing to develop these great relationships!

Mindfulness for Kids: 4 Sensory Activities

by Amy Thomas | Jun 12, 2020

Last month we touched on the topic of mindfulness and more specifically how to help your child use mindfulness breathing activities to calm their bodies and minds. This month we are highlighting some wonderful sensory activities that can allow you and your child to focus on the present moment, recognizing and appreciating the elements that are being explored, and how the experience makes you feel.

A helpful practice is ‘mental noting”. Mental noting is labeling by naming the thoughts and feelings that come up as you engage in quiet time, a sensory-based activity, or during an intentional activity in which you choose to be more aware, more mindful, during that time period.

As you read through 4 suggested activities select one or two that you would like to try with your child. Although mindfulness activities can be done with more than one child per adult, when first learning it is helpful to initially limit the experience to one child as it reduces the distractions. For many, distractions are the number one challenge reported when attempting to increase the practice of mindfulness.

Sensory Activity List

1. Music Listening – Find a piece of instrumental music that you typically find enjoyable to listen to when wanting to relax. Many choose a piece that is slower and more reflective, however never rule out music that has a strong grounding pulse or even a happy encouraging beat. Play the music for your child and see if they have a similar appreciation of the selection. Below is an example of a piece that you can try if you are having difficulty thinking of one on your own. The next step is to place your body in a comfortable position and, if necessary to eliminate distractions, you can close your eyes as well. As the music begins, take some slow breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. As you hear the sounds, on occasion model for your child verbal statements such as, “This is pretty music”, “I hear a guitar”, “It makes me think of a waterfall”, “I feel relaxed”. Listen to the comments your child has about the experience and acknowledge their thoughts and feelings.

2. Sensory Snacking – Create a visually appealing and tasty display of snack foods to experience with your child. Be thoughtful of foods that your child enjoys but may not generally think about the characteristics of that food. Consider smell, color, texture, chewy versus crunchy, salty as opposed to sweet. How does it feel in your mouth when you bite into it or suck on it? Perhaps ask your child how many kinds of snacks they would like to use and if they have any special food they would like to include. See below one example of how to prepare this mindfulness activity.

3. Nature Walks – Regardless of the season there is always a beautiful sensory experience waiting right outside your door. Move at your child’s speed, which, of course, can vary from sprinting like a cheetah to slugging along at a tortoise pace. Bring your sense of curiosity and adventure and allow your child to lead the way. Create unique names for the colors you see similar to a Crayola crayon box, pick up gems you find and compare the textures, smell the flowers and grass, and listen to the sound of nature’s many voices. Open your mouth and catch a raindrop or snowflake on your tongue or take a deep breath in and out while sitting or lying on the warm ground. Enjoy noting the many sensory moments and feelings they create along the way.

4. Drumming – It is quite simple to make your own drum if you do not have one available. Wooden spoons on Tupperware containers or using your hands on a solid surface can work quite well. Tom Tom or Conga drums can be inexpensively purchased. Use this link to explore some options. https://www.amazon.com/Remo-KD-5080-01-Kids-Percussion-Floor/dp/B0002F7KUG

A simple way to practice mindfulness with drums is to have the adult or child start a steady beat. The other person can join in with the same beat or a different one. As you play the rhythms and listen to the other person’s tempo and pulse, move your body in a way that reflects how it makes you feel, show animation if you feel happy, or close your eyes if it causes you to feel relaxed. Key in on the non-verbal communication from your child. You can mention what you see and then ask them if you are right. Example: “You are loving that beat. I can tell by your smile. Am I right?” Trade-off being the leader or the follower. Notice the textures of the drums and how it makes your body feel when playing different ways with your full hands, fingers, palms, spoons, or sticks.

For information about our counseling services with mindfulness training for adults and children use our Contact Us link.

A Whole New World: Music Teletherapy

by Amy Thomas | May 29, 2020

Prior to COVID-19, the word “teletherapy” meant very little to our team of music therapists. To even consider not driving to school, homes, or daycares was not a thought in our minds. How could it be? Yet, in a matter of days teletherapy became a new reality. All the hours spent fine-tuning our craft for in-person services had to be adjusted overnight. Looking back now, it is amazing how much our team has learned in a few short months.

A New Approach

After school closures, it quickly became apparent that the social-emotional benefits of music were taking center stage. This is a confusing time we are all in. For many families, the presence of music therapy in their homes is a welcome break to the stress they are under. At UTMC, we truly want to embrace this facet of music and ensure we are continually bringing not only music but joy into homes. Below is a photo of Sarah Ramey, an employee at UMTC accomplishing this mission during a teletherapy session!

Supporting the Whole Family

As our team adjusted to doing therapy through a computer screen, it became apparent that we were able to help families in a unique way. By bringing music into the home, we can provide our students with a dose of familiarity in a confusing situation.

It is no secret that music has a way of lifting spirits. Our staff noticed siblings, grandparents, and parents joining sessions with a smile on their faces. Many stated they were looking forward to music all day. This is the kind of positive energy we want to bring to our families.

New Intervention Strategies

Parents and teachers aren’t the only ones learning about new technologies! Our music therapy team has been knee-deep in picking up new online learning strategies. If you are interested in pursuing online services, you will experience some of these new strategies for yourself.

1) Zoom

For the most part, our therapists use Zoom as a video chatting platform with students. Zoom comes with some great interactive features such as screen and audio sharing. While using these, the therapist is able to provide visuals and quality audio with the student on the other end.

2) PowerPoint

Many of our therapists use PowerPoint slide shows to present students with books or choice boards. It’s difficult to use visuals in hand because they may be blurry or off-angle. Using a PowerPoint via screen sharing solves that problem and provides clear visuals.

3) Share controls

Zoom also allows for the students to have control over the screen. With this feature, the therapist is able to ask questions, have students type answers on their own, or drag and drop images to complete visual activities.

4) Props

Now more than ever it is important for therapists to grab our student’s attention. It can be so difficult to stay seated for 30-minutes, especially in front of a computer screen! Our therapists do their best to engage students with props such as hats, stuffed animals, scarves, or other colorful visuals.

New Services at Upstate Music Therapy Center

Upstate Music Therapy Center believes that music services should be accessible despite school closures. In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, we have adjusted by offering a variety of online music activities such as Music Enrichment, online Music Therapy, and FREE Online Music for Preschoolers (available on our Facebook page through the end of June). Additionally, online Counseling services are available. If you would like to learn more about these new online services, click here.

It is a shocking, confusing, and strange time we are all in. At UMTC, we hope that our services for students and the community can bring a ray of light into the homes and lives of families we work with. Don’t forget to find humor where you can in this whole new world we live in!

This blog was submitted by Katie Hall.

Book: Take Me Out to the Ballgame

by Amy Thomas | May 22, 2020

Blog submitted by Kayla Davitt, MT-BC

Idea submitted by Erin Valvo, MT-BC

Baseball is a favorite American pastime. I love walking into a baseball stadium and being inundated with the smell of popcorn, the sound of fans, and the green grass. During this time of quarantine, we are forced to miss out on traveling to a stadium for a baseball game. But, with the storybook Take Me Out to the Ballgame by Jack Norworth and Alec Gillman, you can experience the beauty of a baseball game without having to leave the comfort of your home!

Younger children will be entranced by the beautiful illustrations, older children will be excited to learn about a favorite American sport, and you will love singing this simple and catchy classic! This quintessential storybook can target many skills such as reading comprehension and sequencing. If you have older children at home, here are some suggestions to keep in mind while using this classic song and storybook with them:

Discuss the history of baseball

A lot of older children enjoy learning about traditions and history, especially when sports are involved! This book is a great way to incorporate history, reading comprehension, and music in one loveable song!

Encourage your child to use his or her imagination

Because this is such an unpredictable time, your child may enjoy taking a virtual field trip to a baseball stadium! The illustrations in this storybook specifically are so beautifully drawn that your child will feel as if they’re attending an actual game! Don’t be afraid to ask your child questions: perhaps who they would attend a game with or what teams they would like to see play against each other!

Put your child’s problem-solving skills to work

What would happen if the game was rained out? What if the pitcher gets injured during play? What happens if the game is tied at the end? Though these aren’t parts of the actual story, you can encourage your child to think outside of the box and put their problem-solving skills (as well as their imagination) to work.

Share your memories

Your child may enjoy singing the song and following along in the story, but don’t be afraid to make it personal! Share some memories you may have of playing baseball when you were young, attending games, singing the song, or maybe even eating “peanuts and Cracker Jack.”

Kayla Davitt, an employee at UMTC, has recorded the song for you to use while reading this book with your child. Singing and reading with your child is an effective way to keep their attention and also assists with a child’s ability to comprehend information.

We hope you enjoy using this book in your homeschooling adventures! For more resources and activities to use with your children, please visit our “Resources” tab located at the top of the page.

If you are interested in purchasing Take Me Out to the Ballgame, click here to find it on Amazon.

Happy reading!

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