TME Tuesday: I Don't Want to Live on the Moon

I am a huge fan of Sesame Street and all of the music that the show has produced over the years. Jeff Moss makes music that strikes a chord with me (pun intended) and that is sophisticated enough for adults and accessible to children as well.

One of my favorite songs is I Don't Want to Live on the Moon. It offers me thoughts about imagination and home, family and futures. I love this song, so I have written a therapeutic music experience (TME) for the song that I don't use very often with clients (for some reason). Here's the TME strategy.

 (Now that I think about this, I've probably shared this TME before, but I don't care. I love it that much!!)

Therapeutic Music Experience
I Don't Want to Live on the Moon
Mary Jane Landaker, MME, MT-BC 




Purpose: To initiate discussion of future plans; to initiate discussion of travel; to assess animal recognition; impulse control through indication of correct visual aid at specified time; fine motor control; auditory discrimination; receptive language skill development

Source: Music © 1978 by Jeff Moss, Festival Attractions Inc. and Backfin Music Company. TME and procedure © by Mary Jane Landaker, MME, MT-BC. Video of Ernie singing available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeNO56xNlZo

Materials: OPTIONAL: recording of song; accompanying instrument; visual aids: moon, rocket ship, fish, dinosaur, lion, jungle foliage, house.

Environment: Group members in place where they can easily hear and see the therapist.

Song/Chant/Words: See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeNO56xNlZo for example of song on video presentation

Procedure: R = Reinforcement opportunities; C = Redirection/Cue opportunities; A = Assessment
1.      Pass out pictures to group members
2.      C=start playing and singing the song
3.      A=assess whether group members are singing the song or watching the therapist
4.      R=reinforce group members who display desired behaviors. Redirect the attention of group members who are not displaying desired behaviors of singing the song and/or watching the therapist
5.      C=ask group members to talk about where they would like to visit in the future.
6.      R=reinforce group members who display desired behaviors. Redirect the attention of group members who are not displaying desired behaviors of answering the questions
7.      C=ask group members if there is someplace that they consider home
8.      R=reinforce group members who display desired behaviors. Redirect the attention of group members who are not displaying desired behaviors of describing home
9.      C=encourage and develop discussion as appropriate for group members and session time
10.  C=sing song again
11.  C=model raising a picture that corresponds to lyrics being sung
12.  A=assess whether group members mimic the model and raise their own pictures as indicated by the song
13.  R=reinforce group members who raise their pictures when indicated in the song. Redirect group members who do not complete the task
14.  Repeat steps 2-13 as indicated by participation of group members. Repeat until group members start to show s/s of boredom or time runs out.

Therapeutic Function of Music:
The song, I Don’t Want to Live on the Moon, offers a musical discussion about visiting a novel location but still wanting to be around the people who love us. The music is arranged in AABA format, offering a predictable format. If using live music, several elements of the music can be altered to accommodate the needs and preferences of clients. The harmonic pattern is more sophisticated than many children’s songs, extending the range of the song from early childhood into the late elementary years.

Melody
Pitch
Rhythm
Dynamics
Harmony
Scalar, repetitive
If presented live, can be changed to accommodate clients’ preferred ranges
Syncopation
If presented live, can be changed to engage group members’ attention and participation
Major with minor keys

Form
Tempo
Timbre
Style
Lyrics
AABA
If presented live, can be changed to accommodate clients’ preferred tempi
If presented live, can be changed to accommodate clients’ preferred sounds and timbres
Children’s Song
Can be varied if needed to engage group members’ attention and participation – create novelty
Chart adapted from Hanson-Abromeit, D. (2010). A Closer Look at the Therapeutic Function of Music. Presentation at 2010 American Music Therapy Association National Conference: Cleveland, OH.

Adaptations:
·         Provide each group member with a full set of pictures to correspond to the lyrics of the song
·         Provide hand-over-hand assistance for group members who are unable to complete the task independently
·         Use task analysis protocol developed for persons with intellectual disabilities to encourage discussion – may be a multiple-session process

Extensions:
  • Scatter pictures around the room and lead group members through a “journey” using the song lyrics to direct the group around the room
 

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