TME Tuesday: The Last One - The Manners Song

It's official. This will be my last TME Tuesday under this format. I have decided that it is time to focus more on other things, so from now on, you will still be able to get a TME on Tuesdays, but it will be a subscription-type thing. I'm still working out the details, so the subscription probably won't start next week, but it will be coming soon, so this is the last TME that will be released on this blog.

This therapeutic music experience (TME) is available on the most recent edition of sing about songs: sing about autumn. Click the link for more information about these TME collections. Enjoy!

Therapeutic Music Experience

Ten Table Manners for Kids

Mary Jane Landaker, MME, MT-BC

Purpose: To reinforce society expectations for etiquette at the table; To increase awareness of good manners; To prompt appropriate etiquette; social awareness; social interaction; entrainment to an external beat.

Source: Visual from iMom – 10 Table Manners for Kids. Retrieved October 29, 2015 from: http://www.imom.com/printable/10-table-manners-for-kids/#.VjiWQmv64nc  TME development and original song © October 30, 2015 by Mary Jane Landaker, MME, MT-BC

Materials: Cup, plate, napkin, fork, spoon, cup – either visual aids or real objects for use during the TME; OPTIONAL: Visual aid from iMom with list of expectations – one for every 3 group members

Environment: Group members need to be arranged in a way that will allow for them to see the therapist’s demonstration of manners.

Song/Chant/Words:

 

Table manners are quite difficult, but I guess they’re important

Table manners are quite difficult, but I guess they’re important

since folks keep asking me to –

Put my napkin in my lap,

Elbows off the table,

Sit up straight, inside voice, and use your “pleases” and “thank yous.”

Don’t forget to chew with your mouth closed,

Take “just right” bites,

Wait to talk, don’t complain, and bring the food to your mouth.

At the end of the meal, compliment the cook for the food that you ate.

Take your dishes to the kitchen when you are finished eating.

Table manners are still difficult, but I will try my best to meet them because

Table manners are quite difficult, but they are important.

Alternate lyrics - CAUTION! Only use with clients who understand that this example is NOT a GOOD EXAMPLE!!

Table manners are quite difficult, but I guess they are important.

Table manners are quite difficult, but I guess they are important.

Since folks keep asking me to –

Keep my napkin on the table,

Lounge upon my elbows

Keep head down, shout real loud, and use your rude voice.

Chew with your mouth wide open,

Stuff as much food in as you can,

Interrupt others, complain about the food, and bring your mouth to your food.

At the end of the meal, tell the cook you didn’t like the food.

Leave your dishes at the table.

Table manners are still difficult, but I will try my best to meet them because

Table manners are quite difficult, but I think I’ve got them!

Procedure: R = Reinforcement opportunities; C = Redirection/Cue opportunities; A = Assessment

1.    C=start singing the song.

2.    A=assess whether group members are engaged in the song by evaluating attention behaviors (e.g., eye contact, movement to the beat, singing along with the song)

3.    R=reinforce all attention behaviors through verbal and nonverbal means (using client names, eye contact, and facial expression changes)

4.    C=demonstrate unacceptable table manners with the expectation that group members will interrupt to signal recognition of inappropriate table manners

5.    A=assess whether group members are able to identify inappropriate table manners

6.    R=reinforce all indications that therapist’s model behavior is inappropriate

7.    C=ask group members to offer alternate good manners for the inappropriate manners displayed by the therapist.

8.    A=assess whether group members are able to distinguish between the model behaviors and the inappropriate table manners.

9.    R=reinforce all corrective comments from group members. Redirect other comments, shaping the expectations.

10.  Continue to sing alternate and appropriate lyrics until group members demonstrate awareness of the concept of table manners or until group members show s/s of disengagement.

Therapeutic Function of Music:

Music provides the structure for the information and is the foundation for the entire therapeutic music experience. The various elements of music can be changed to engage group members’ attention. The lyrics offer the most information as to what group members need to do.

Melody	Pitch	Rhythm	Dynamics	Harmony
Primarily scalar; follows predictable pattern	Variable based on client needs and preferences	Syncopated	Variable based on client needs and preferences	Major tonality – I, IV, V7
Form	Tempo	Timbre	Style	Lyrics
Strophic with Introduction and Coda	Variable based on client needs and preferences	Variable based on client needs and preferences	Jazz-like	Offer information about desired behaviors; can be altered to focus on specific behaviors for group members.

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:

·         Ask group members to demonstrate appropriate manners.

·         Focus on one manner at a time to reinforce appropriate behaviors at a developmentally appropriate speed.

Extensions:

• Ask group members to take over the acting out of inappropriate behaviors during the song with the expectation that they will also act out the appropriate behaviors during song repetitions.