Many children with developmental disabilities have difficulties in the areas of communication and interaction. This is one of the easiest ways to encourage communication and interaction through music. Use a song that is very familiar to the child, such as "Old MacDonald" or "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star". Sing it through for the child using all of the words. Then, sing it again, leaving out a word at the end of a phrase, ie: Old MacDonald had a _____, E - I - E - I ______. Each time, give the child ample time to fill in the blank with the word, a sound, or even a glance your way - indicating recognization of the omission.
This can be used with any level of song as long as it is familiar to the child. Once they have begun to respond to omissions at the end of the phrase, try leaving a word out in the middle!
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Pam, You are so thoughtful to have created this blog. We miss you immensely. It is so sad to go week after week without the light of Lizzie's life; music. And so the piano sits unused in the living room, the instruments dusty in the closet...for some reason, Lizzie does not want to DO music, to her, YOU are music. Hopefully she will gravitate back to it.
ReplyDeleteYou re deeply missed and appreciated. I will try this activity today and would love to know the hello and goodbye songs so I can sing them with Lizzie too. Andie Grenz (mom to 5 1/2 year old Lizzie a spunky "ray of sunshine" ,with a rare genetic disorder and seizure disorder, brain insult and autism.)