Monday, July 6, 2009
Lunch is in today! A professor came to talk to us during lunch time about a music band/company called Hugworks. They specializes in bringing therapeutic entertainment, music therapy, comfort and encouragement to hospitalized and physically/emotionally challenged children.
Hugwork music, written and produced for young children, is fun and upbeat, encourages the healthy expression of feelings and helps boost self-esteem.
Healing Hearts and Spirits at:
-Hospitals
-Rehabilitation Centers
-Community Events
-Schools
-Early Childhood Centers
It was pretty interesting to know how music therapy can be conducted and linked to our field. (I'm always more interested in therapy than teaching ^^)
What they are doing now, is what I really wanted to do, to help children to cope with their stresses in their lives.
They believe that music and children go together…
Music appeals to children because of their natural playfulness and their tendency to be very much in touch with their feelings. Music and song seem almost “magical” in their ability to reach children deep inside at a feeling level. Listening to and/or participating in a musical experience helps children express themselves – expression of feelings is a healing thing.
They serve children with special medical and emotional needs in two ways:
Therapeutic Entertainment
Jim Newton and Paul G. Hill have been singing for kids with special needs since the early 80’s. They regularly provide entertainment for hospitalized children at 5 Dallas-Fort Worth area medical facilities, and in periodic tours to children’s hospitals nationwide. Their sensitive, caring presence and the quality and appropriateness of their repertoire ensure an uplifting experience for the children and families they serve. In playroom or clinic programs – in rehab, ICU, or hospital room visits – Hugworks provides songs of healing and hope.
Music Therapy
Elizabeth “Bizzy” Tober, MT-BC, provides weekly music therapy for children in 4 Dallas-Fort Worth area children’s medical facilities and at the Southern Methodist University Music Therapy Clinic. Bizzy has 7 years experience in music therapy and she facilitates positive change in the lives of children through structured music experiences. In clinic groups, transplant units, or individual room sessions, Bizzy Tober’s music therapy helps kids.
We viewed a video of a song Best I can be, I feel that it reaches out to very young children who might not be able to read yet due to the visual animations to go with the lyrics. Moreover, children are more able to be focused on the song. However, due to animation, some parts of the lyrics are not flashed or are flashed rather quickly, children might not be able to read that fast. Also, there's isn't a very clear message about what the chicken in the animation can't do, it just suddenly became sad. Still, there are many things children can learn from the songs! Language can be learn through the lyrics and the singing. There's a theme of social-emotional coping skills in which help children cope with things they still can't do yet.
It could be able to be implemented in Singapore as Singapore is a stress place for children to study in. It'll be fun for children to learn as they engage in music and meaningful activites to them, as the lyrics helps to link to their context. However, if teachers were to use the products in schools, trainings might need to be provided to help them develop appropriate materials to help the children understand the song and the meaning to it, which is where the animation would be helpful.
I think it would also be pretty interesting to observe how they actually conduct their sessions. AND they are coming to Wheelock Family Theatre to perform! Sad to say, it's on the day that I'm flying back:(
Our friendship ring!
Clay play during class...
