As parents, we often search to find to best experiences available for our children. Music has long been known to create unique brain and body connections for children. B. Joan E. Haines and Linda L. Gerber, authors of Leading Young Children to Music, discuss some of the benefits of music as follows, “We believe that music benefits all children by enriching their lives, fostering feelings about themselves and others, promoting acceptance and understanding of differences, and offering a learning climate free from pressure and competition. Music has such flexibility that it can serve at a moments notice, under any circumstances. It has such power that it can set limits or expand them. It has such feeling that it can create, express, or change a mood”. In addition, experiencing music and participating in music learning opportunities have been directly linked to positive outcomes in self-confidence, attending behaviors, problem solving, coordination and brain development.
In recent weeks we’ve had the honor of being connected to Meryl and Michael Brown, the owners of Developing Melodies in Central Illinois. Developing Melodies is a whole private music studio that caters to children of all ages and abilities. Meryl, a Board Certified Music Therapist, provides Developmental Therapy and Music Therapy services; the creative and structured use of music within a therapeutic relationship, in order to improve the physical, emotional, social and cognitive needs of an individual. Michael Brown, a Highly Qualified music educator provides private music lessons specializing in guitar and piano. Together, they also lead Early Childhood Playgroups in Music and Art. Meryl an Michael have received their Masters Degrees in Music Therapy and Music Education respectively and between them have over ten years experience in providing music opportunities for children. This husband and wife duo effectively combine their passions for music to inspire families and their children to grow, create, and learn through live musical experiences.
Developing Melodies currently provides creative and enriching musical experiences for typically and atypically developing children and adults in several early childhood learning centers, through the Bloomington Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Department, through the S.O.A.R. program and with their own private clients. “We rarely use recorded music, as it is not malleable; you cannot change the speed of a piece of recorded music; however you CAN adapt the speed at which you play the guitar or ukulele. Live music makes us unique,” adds Meryl.
“We want to reach those parents who are looking for a creative way to communicate and engage with their children. We want to encourage parents to participate in music experiences with their children so that they may introduce them into their home routine. We want to invite individuals who wish to learn something new, as it is never too late to learn about music. The beauty of music is that there are no limits,” says Meryl.
When learning, play and music come together to offer enriching experiences for families…it just doesn’t get any better than that!
To learn more about Developing Melodies please visit: http://www.DevelopingMelodies.com
You can also visit the Developing Melodies Blog at: http://www.DevelopingMelodies.com/blog
Additional Music Therapy and Music Education Resources:
http://www.musictherapy.org – American Music therapy Association
http://www.cbmt.org – Certification Board for Music Therapists
http://www.musictherapyillinois.org – Illinois Association for Music Therapy
http://www.menc.org – National Association for Music Education
http://www.aosa.org – American Orff Schulwerk Association
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