Music can help children experience themselves and others as few modalities can. Children expressing themselves through music can grow in self confidence and self-identity, as well as in their social development. It is also a powerful medium to help them with their emotional regulation, attention, following directions, language and sensory integration skills.
I assess not only a childs’ challenges and limitations, but hone in on their strengths and resilience.
I encourage a child’s response to music, expanding on and supporting their efforts, and picking up on their cues. Special songs or movement and rhythm improvisations are created, so that a child experiences their part and involvement, as essential and beautiful.
Play includes games, fantasy, and drawing, all which help engage the child and lets them shine and express themselves. My use of creative and musical activities with children is a strong catalyst that reinforces their growth.
Parents come to me for help and support with their child’s difficulties in communication, emotional expression and regulation, and behavioral and social issues.
In my groups with children, I use similar principles but strongly emphasize development of social skills.
They can enjoy being part of a peer group through responding to and cocreating music and movement together. I help them communicate when issues arise, via visual props, use of puppets, songs, stories and conversation. Activities are shaped to give opportunities for participants to respond in their individual styles as well as cooperate in the larger group process. The fun of creating great music together is a great motivator.
According to Jacqueline Simms Director of Center-Based Programs @ The Infant and Child Learning Center /Suny DOWNSTATE Medical Center:
“The children and staff look forward to the days when Adele is scheduled to provide services. Her quiet strength emanates throughout her lessons. She is capable of working with all children-children with behavioral issues, medically fragile children, children with short attention spans and of course typically developing children. Her dual degrees of social work and music therapy are demonstrated all the time.”
If you would like to follow up for help with your child, please contact me.