Sometimes I wonder if I’m really making a difference. That question ran through my head just last night, in the middle of a music therapy session. I’ve been working with this particular child since she was 4 months old; she’ll turn 4 years old in May. She’s making big strides, but how much of that progress can be attributed to music therapy?
Towards the end of the session, I decided that we needed to get up and move a little. I could see that she had energy to burn, and I wanted her to use it productively. So I sang the following song, which I adapted from the wonderful Cathy Bollinger:
I’ve got a wiggle wiggle wiggle in my feet
And I wiggle wiggle wiggle to the beat
I’ve got a wiggle in my toes, a wiggle in my knees
And when the music stops everyone freeze!
I’ve got a march march march in my feet
And I march march march to the beat
I’ve got a march in my toes, a march in my knees
And when the music stops everyone freeze!
I’ve got a jump jump jump in my feet
And I jump jump jump to the beat
I’ve got a jump in my toes, a jump in my knees
And when the music stops everyone freeze!
I’ve got a tiptoe tiptoe in my feet
And I tiptoe tiptoe to the beat
I’ve got a tiptoe in my toes, a tiptoe in my knees
And when the music stops everyone freeze!
I’ve got a tap tap tap in my feet
and I tap tap tap to the beat
I’ve got a tap in my toes, a tap in my knees
And when the music stops everyone freeze!
I’ve got a hop hop hop in my feet
And I hop hop hop to the beat
I’ve got a hop in my toes, a hop in my knees
And when the music stops everyone freeze!
My student’s big sister was participating in the session, so both girls danced, jumped and marched (and played the nearby tubano drum, which wasn’t part of the song but added a nice beat!) while I sang and modeled the movement.
After the song ended, my student motioned for her mom to bring my music stand over to our rug. (For some reason, my little ones really enjoy standing in front of it while they sing.) As I strummed my guitar and sang the goodbye song, she sang right along with me, pronouncing the words as best as she could.
After she had taken “goodbye” off of the schedule and chased after her sister into the hallway, her mom turned to me — and that’s when I realized she had tears in her eyes.
She told me that today was the first time she’d ever seen her daughter jump, which surprised me immensely, considering she’d made it look so effortless. She also told me that the way she sang the goodbye song was leaps and bounds above her usual level of word pronunciation, not to mention the length of time for which she sang. And then she told me that it was all because of music therapy.
So much for those doubtful thoughts I’d been experiencing just minutes earlier. If my next student hadn’t already been waiting for me in the next room, I might have run outside and jumped for joy myself!
What an awesome story! Thanks so much for sharing. Definitely made my morning! :)
Thanks so much, Megan! It was an awesome session, that’s for sure!
That is a wonderful story:)
Your sessions sound lovely…movement, singing, the guitar, family, following a plan…wow.
We all need those parent acknowledgment moments. I love them myself.
While I’m pretty sure you don’t have many doubts about your service I just want to actually say…have no doubts!!! You are making big and small differences with all your students, clients… and readers here! Thanks, Rachel:)
I loved reading this story, Rachel, and I’m so glad that you shared it!! As a mom myself of a child who is involved in music therapy (who has significant delays) I can relate to the tears of joy that your student’s mom expressed to you….and I am so happy that she made you aware of the awesome accomplishments that her daughter did during the music therapy session. I’m sure it put a big jump for joy in your heart. It sure touched my own heart. Love, Love, Love the story and hope to read more stories like this one.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful success story. I have been in that same situation where you wonder how much improvement can be attributed to the MT, and how much would have happened anyway… It’s always wonderful to have that validation! It’s stories like this that keep us going. Oh, and thanks for the song. I’ll definitely have to use this one – with my own kids since I’m not practicing right now. ;)
Thank you all so much for the lovely comments and feedback! Sometimes the progress is slow and drawn out over time, so moments like these are pretty special :)
Great story. I started to tear up myself. How lovely that the mother shared her thoughts so you could get the validation you deserve.
What a beautiful story, Rachel! That’s one I hope you’ll tell over and over and over again :)
Good motivation for me on the eve of our state recognition testimony! Great work, Rachel.
Thanks Andrew! Good luck tomorrow — keep us posted on how it goes! I’ll be sending good music therapy vibes your way.
Aww. That’s so sweet! It’s moments like these that we cherish as music therapists and remind us why we slog through the days when it seems as if nothing we do is working. Thank you, Rachel!