Embrace Missions participant Bessie Barth reports on the recent trip to China…
As Music Therapists, we were able to spend time observing the fabulous educational team on staff at New Day. After seeing her work with individuals, we were able to provide ideas for including musical interventions to increase responses. We were able to work one on one with some of the children and allow the therapists and teachers to observe and understand how music can be used to improve motor, communication, academic, and social skills. We had the opportunity to share with the nannies and educational team about Music Therapy and how they could find ways to use music throughout the day, not just at circle time to help the children develop skills. Each age group received at least one music group which taught them some new songs, introduced the children to some new instruments, and allowed the children to learn and move through music. We donated instruments and ideas on activities to use the instruments including a gathering drum, egg shakers, lummi sticks, a keyboard, xylophone, and infant instruments.
We also had the opportunity at Harmony House to provide individualized interaction with an eight year old with Cerebral Palsy. With the one on one attention provided she lit up and would vocalize and interact. The Music Therapists provided an interactive music group for the children.
The AGCI team spent one day thoroughly cleaning the new apartment that Harmony House had acquired. The apartment was filthy as it had been sitting for a period of time. The team was able to clean and prepare the place for the children to have a safe, clean environment. One team member provided training on how to keep things clean and safe for the children.
