Everyone Can Move
Movement is an essential part of life. We are constantly moving our bodies, and for those where actions of daily living may be more difficult it is still essential for them to move as well. These two books below (Everyone Can Move and Music is For Everyone by Laurie Farnan and Faith Johnson) give a great overview of why movement is so important to our well-being and show how as a therapist we can use music to help facilitate beneficial movements. From these books I have learned the importance of movement, and as an intern, have utilized these skills in sessions with my clients. For example, I often will incorporate music and movement following the opening song because of its ability to the grab the attention of my clients because it quickly helps them engage in the session. Movement is also a great way to re-engage your clients near the end of the session, especially when they are tired (e.g. late afternoon or evening sessions). These books also helped me to think about how I am positioning a client when I am working with them, and to consider what instruments I am giving to each client because that will affect their ability to be successful and to stay engaged.
Everyone Can Move- Short Summary of Important Sections
It is important to continue to work on the use of motor movements even if there are impairments because it helps the client use their senses. Music motivates people to move, and causes a physiological effect on the body. Music stimulates the nervous system and can cause large muscle groups or small muscle groups to move. Movement at the beginning of a music therapy session can be beneficial because it grabs the client’s attention and focus, and warm’s up the central nervous system so they are primed for later activities. Even if a client is not ambulatory, they can still move. These are called non-locomotor movements. Moving as a group is also important because it not only helps with moving the body but it also works on social skills. It is important to remember that movement is also beneficial when it is creative or expressive. This means that even if it is something copied and repeated it is still a form of self-expression. Ways to help facilitate this type of movement would be by first modeling a movement and using these movements throughout activities and then giving opportunities to move freely during an activity.
Music is for Everyone- Short Summary of Important Sections
Everyone can participate in music as it is motivating and inviting because of music’s components. Music affects the auditory senses as well as the physical senses because of vibrations. Music stimulates the entire brain and is first processed below the level of awareness and then at awareness level, which is why it affects many areas like attention, memory, language, social skills, and voluntary movement. People respond to music in four different ways, moving, playing, singing, and listening. Body posture is also important when working with people with disabilities because if they aren’t supported in the right places they will have a hard time participating in the activities. Fine motor skills can be worked on through playing an instrument because it is motivating and it effectively improves these skills. For example playing the triangle or castanet works on pincer and tripod grasp. It is also important to remember how much effort it takes to play an instrument and you may need to re-evaluate if the client it having a hard time playing the instrument. Remember that rhythm will bring the group together and the words will direct the group.
Where you can purchase this book:
http://www.westmusic.com/p/everyone-can-move-book-804107
Where you can purchase this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Music-Everyone-Laurie-Farnan-Johnson/dp/0931205212
Citation:
Farnan, L., & Johnson, F. (1988). Everyone can move. New Berlin, WI: Jenson.
Farnan, L., & Johnson, F. (1988). Everyone can move. New Berlin, WI: Jenson
Emily Kent
