Interview with Julie Guy and Angela Neve Meier
In this conversation, Angie Kopshy interviews music therapists Angela Meier Neve and Julie Guy, exploring their personal journeys into the field of music therapy, the unique aspects of the profession, and the powerful role music plays in therapeutic settings. They discuss the concept of social song stories, their collaborative process, and the importance of making life a musical experience for children and families. The conversation highlights the therapeutic benefits of music, emotional regulation techniques, and the joy of integrating music into everyday life. This conversation explores the multifaceted role of music therapy in child development, emphasizing the importance of parental involvement, the creation of a musically rich environment, and the advocacy for music therapy in educational settings. The speakers share personal anecdotes and practical strategies for integrating music into daily life, highlighting its therapeutic benefits and the joy it brings to both children and parents.
Our favorite takeaways
Music therapy combines the strengths of helping people and music.
Music can act as a detour switch in the brain for accessing information.
Social song stories help children learn and apply important life skills. Adding music to social stories can be even more powerful.
Collaboration with other therapists enhances the effectiveness of music therapy. Parents can play a strong role by making sure all team members are connected and able to communicate with one another, by inviting all team members to IEP meetings, and by requesting music therapy at school. Collaboration between music therapists and educators enhances learning experiences. Advocating for music therapy requires demonstrating its necessity for a child's progress.
Music can help with emotional regulation and calming techniques. There are many great songs created by music therapists with these specific goals in mind.
Creating songs in music therapy can make learning fun and engaging for children - music is like glue.
Parents can incorporate music into their daily lives to support their children's development.
Understanding the mechanisms of music can empower parents to use it effectively.
Making life a musical experience encourages play and creativity in children.
Parents can enhance their child's learning by incorporating music into daily routines.
Making up silly songs can engage children and make tasks more enjoyable.
Music therapy sessions have hidden objectives that benefit children.
Creating a musically rich environment can calm children and aid transitions. Using live music or recorded music can help children with transitions and routines.
Music therapy can be really beneficial for children who learn better through auditory modalities.
Small successes in music therapy can lead to significant changes over time.