So, I thought I'd share with you an example of the power of music for children who are non-verbal or with very limited language/communication (And, of course, music is wonderful for everyone else as well! :)
I was working with a little guy on stringing large beads on tubing the other day. I often make up simple songs describing what he is doing since it helps him stay focused and reminds him of how to do something. However, I have been fading out some of the songs for small group time at this point to see if he is able to continue the task on his own.
Well, apparently, HE was not quite ready for this! He began singing a song I made up and sing to help the children wait for their friends to get up from nap and get ready to get on the bus and go home.
He sang..."Jeremiah, please get up, please get up, please get up. Jeremiah, please get up, it's time to go on the bus." (Usually when I sing it I leave off the word "bus" and the kids say it.)
Well, I laughed and told him that the song didn't really work since Jeremiah was already up and it wasn't time to go to the bus yet. He stopped singing for a minute then started again with the same song: "Jeremiah, please get up, please get up, please get up. Jeremiah, please get up, it's time stringing beads!"
Now, of course, his friend was already up, so this part still didn't work, but he had replaced the original words to MATCH WHAT HE WAS DOING!!!! (can you tell I was excited about this!?)
I had to keep myself from laughing as he sang this another three times since it was SO darn cute...AND smart!
And to think, this little guy started in my room just over a year ago and was non-verbal! He receives music therapy once a week and we do non-stop music in my classroom! Another awesome anecdotal note I thought I'd share with you!
I was working with a little guy on stringing large beads on tubing the other day. I often make up simple songs describing what he is doing since it helps him stay focused and reminds him of how to do something. However, I have been fading out some of the songs for small group time at this point to see if he is able to continue the task on his own.
Well, apparently, HE was not quite ready for this! He began singing a song I made up and sing to help the children wait for their friends to get up from nap and get ready to get on the bus and go home.
He sang..."Jeremiah, please get up, please get up, please get up. Jeremiah, please get up, it's time to go on the bus." (Usually when I sing it I leave off the word "bus" and the kids say it.)
Well, I laughed and told him that the song didn't really work since Jeremiah was already up and it wasn't time to go to the bus yet. He stopped singing for a minute then started again with the same song: "Jeremiah, please get up, please get up, please get up. Jeremiah, please get up, it's time stringing beads!"
Now, of course, his friend was already up, so this part still didn't work, but he had replaced the original words to MATCH WHAT HE WAS DOING!!!! (can you tell I was excited about this!?)
I had to keep myself from laughing as he sang this another three times since it was SO darn cute...AND smart!
And to think, this little guy started in my room just over a year ago and was non-verbal! He receives music therapy once a week and we do non-stop music in my classroom! Another awesome anecdotal note I thought I'd share with you!
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