When my daughter (a recent University of Pennsylvania graduate!) was born, one of my greatest pleasures in being a new mother was singing to her. I sang often: to amuse her, to distract her, to comfort her, and, frankly, to keep my own spirits up as I went about caring for this mysterious, wonderful, yet… Read more »
Music Learning Supports All Learning™
Recently, I gave a presentation at the Princeton Public Library to discuss how developmentally-appropriate music learning enhances learning in all domains. I was so pleased to talk with caregivers and teachers about the physical, intellectual, emotional, and social benefits that are gained through active music-making experiences. In particular, I spoke about Music Together’s early childhood… Read more »
April is Autism Awareness Month
As a board-certified music therapist, I have worked with many families affected by autism. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects one in 110 children. But to say that it affects just the children is a misnomer. ASD affects whole families, often impacting how these families can relate… Read more »
Bonding with My Daughter Through Music—In Honor of National Adoption Month (November)
Bonding with their new children is a common concern among adoptive parents. Will he love us? Will he attach to us? Will he trust us to take care of him and keep him safe? Adoption professionals define bonding as “the process that a child goes through in developing lasting emotional ties with his or her… Read more »
Jackson, the Music Maker
My children, now 25 and 29, had music around them growing up. I sang and played guitar and their father played his favorite ’60s songs on the piano. We had a music area in their playroom and they played ukulele, drums, and shakers with us whenever. My son’s son, Jackson, now over a year old,… Read more »
Music Together and Music Therapy in Ghana
Over the summer, my colleague Tori Conciello-Emery, MA, MT-BC, was one of several clinicians on a service trip to Ghana, Africa. Tori is a Music Together–trained board-certified music therapist who works at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Tempo! Therapy in West Chester, PA. In Ghana, Tori led music therapy trainings for staff members at Echoing… Read more »
Jackson’s Song, or the Left-handed Lullaby
Four months ago, I became a grandmother and I was so thrilled that I offered to babysit Jackson Daniel one day a week. The first day, I got up early, drove an hour, and felt a little uneasy, but happy. It all went well until around 2:00; he still hadn’t fallen asleep and now he… Read more »
My Time Away
I love going to conferences. No, really—I do! Apart from a break in my everyday routine, I love being able to share what Music Together centers around the country have done to advance the field of early childhood music and movement experiences through parent-child and preschool classes. This past month, I traveled from coast-to-coast and… Read more »