Thoughtful Thursday: Taking a Break from Music
This week has been a mish-mash of session experiences, mainly because I am a total geek and feel that my clients should be celebrating May the Fourth because I want an excuse to celebrate May the Fourth at work.
It is ridiculous how much stuff I have related to this movie series. I know that, as a middle-aged woman, that I shouldn't really have this much stuff, but it celebrates something that made a huge impact on me and my life during my younger years. I love all things Star Wars, and it shows.
This week, we've been experimenting with my R2-D2 voice activated droid.
About half of the school has met R2 now, five groups haven't yet - I saved him for the actual day for those groups. I am fascinated by how my clients react to this toy. Some shrink back initially - it is kinda creepy to see a toy start to move on its own. Others just can't keep their hands off it. They want to push buttons, but there's not a lot of buttons to push. R2 moves around on his own, responds to specific commands, and is obstinate.
R2 has been the topic of some discussion about frustration and social interactions. Kids have expressed frustration that the droid doesn't finish commands when offered (told you he's obstinate!). This led to discussions about how we interact with each other. All of a sudden, there was an illustration of how conflict with authority feels when you are the authority. Learning moment? You bet!
We haven't been able to make much music during R2's time in our group. He can't hear when there is more than one audio stimulus, so the music has been absent during his visits. That's okay. There are times when a break from the music is good.
One of the things that intrigues me about music therapy is the importance of silence.
When I am working with individuals (this isn't something I can do as easily with groups), I use silence as a valuable tool during music therapy interaction. I try to place the communication responsibility into the hands of my client. I sit quietly. I may engage in some improvisation, but I don't talk or sing until my client initiates vocal interaction with me. This silence is, at times, the way I can get to know my clients better than if I was yammering on and on during the session.
I have enjoyed sharing something that I love with my clients this week. Apparently, R2 is the talk of the campus as other clinicians have stopped me and asked about him. I am going to bring him home today after his long week at school. Then, I think I will watch Rogue One with a treat for dinner.
The Force is with me. I am one with the Force.
It is ridiculous how much stuff I have related to this movie series. I know that, as a middle-aged woman, that I shouldn't really have this much stuff, but it celebrates something that made a huge impact on me and my life during my younger years. I love all things Star Wars, and it shows.
This week, we've been experimenting with my R2-D2 voice activated droid.
About half of the school has met R2 now, five groups haven't yet - I saved him for the actual day for those groups. I am fascinated by how my clients react to this toy. Some shrink back initially - it is kinda creepy to see a toy start to move on its own. Others just can't keep their hands off it. They want to push buttons, but there's not a lot of buttons to push. R2 moves around on his own, responds to specific commands, and is obstinate.
R2 has been the topic of some discussion about frustration and social interactions. Kids have expressed frustration that the droid doesn't finish commands when offered (told you he's obstinate!). This led to discussions about how we interact with each other. All of a sudden, there was an illustration of how conflict with authority feels when you are the authority. Learning moment? You bet!We haven't been able to make much music during R2's time in our group. He can't hear when there is more than one audio stimulus, so the music has been absent during his visits. That's okay. There are times when a break from the music is good.
One of the things that intrigues me about music therapy is the importance of silence.
When I am working with individuals (this isn't something I can do as easily with groups), I use silence as a valuable tool during music therapy interaction. I try to place the communication responsibility into the hands of my client. I sit quietly. I may engage in some improvisation, but I don't talk or sing until my client initiates vocal interaction with me. This silence is, at times, the way I can get to know my clients better than if I was yammering on and on during the session.
I have enjoyed sharing something that I love with my clients this week. Apparently, R2 is the talk of the campus as other clinicians have stopped me and asked about him. I am going to bring him home today after his long week at school. Then, I think I will watch Rogue One with a treat for dinner.
The Force is with me. I am one with the Force.
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