I’ve noticed since working with kids, a lot of the time “following directions” (whether it be 1 step or multiple steps) is part of our work together. Some kids have a hard time listening/following directions, but in a fun setting like a music therapy room with a lot of instruments and distractions, it can be even harder. When I notice that the client may need extra work regarding following directions, music becomes a great motivator and tool to exercise that skill.
A lot of the time we think of directions as verbal instructions, but in music we can implement directions in a musical way. For example, when I sing/chant a phrase, I then cue the client to listen and then sing/chant it back. Another example would be for me to play a drumming pattern and have the client play it back. Not only is singing or playing back what the client heard important, the act of listening to the initial phrase is most important. If listening can be a challenge, using the element of silence in the music room is big. Silence can be very powerful, especially in a music therapy clinic, so I use it to my advantage. When I initially grab the client’s attention with silence, I make the silence seem bigger by waiting longer or stressing it with my body language and create even more anticipation to cue the client to listen for something coming up.
This month I thought it would be fun to create an echo song, with Spring as the theme, to help when following direction is needed. I like this song because you can adjust it to any need. Simply, chant the phrases and have the client to chant/say back the phrase they heard. You can add a simple drum pattern to the chanting and have the client chant and play both back or you can even add a piano melody to the words and work on that as well. I’ve included the base phrase below and I hope this is something that can help you and your client(s)!
Sara Chigani, MA, MT-BC, FAMI
“Spring Is Here”
Spring is here [client repeats]
Spring is here [client repeats]
The flowers bloom [client repeats]
Yes, it’s true [client repeats]
Spring is here [client repeats]
Spring is here [client repeats]
The bees go buzz [client repeats]
All around [client repeats]
Spring is here [client repeats]
Spring is here [client repeats]
The kites fly high [client repeats]
In the sky [client repeats]
Spring is here [client repeats]
Spring is here [client repeats].