What's Happening in the Study: Week 10
Something to ponder:
We made it to the final week of the study!!
Something to do this week:
Please take a few minutes to complete the 2 surveys on the website (www.musicalfamily.org). After logging in, click on the yellow “Surveys” button at the top left of the page. These are the same surveys you took at the beginning of the study, with the demographic information removed. Once finished, your official participation in the research will be complete. I know this is an insanely busy time of year, but it would really help me if you could do them by December 23rd. Even if you weren’t able to make it to all the classes, or you couldn’t read
every single email I sent out, I could still use your data for my research!
Along these lines, you’ll see a box for both Active and Passive subjects to enter the number of weekly emails/blogposts that you were able to read for the entire study. Please be honest when putting this number, and don’t feel bad if you were not able to read them all! These emails were required for the Passive subjects. Active subjects were invited each week to read the blog which had the same info as the emails to the Passive group, but it was not a requirement. This information will be helpful as I look at all the data from the study.
I have also added a box on the 2nd survey for you to write about your overall experience. It is not obligatory, but if you are comfortable putting this on the “permanent record” your comments may further help music educators provide support and encouragement to parents! You can talk about yourself, your child or both. I would enjoy reading the comments and I will answer any questions you ask, if I can.
Something to do beyond this week:
I hope you will build on what you've learned. Look for ways to supplement your home musical environment with experiences out in your community. In Philadelphia, for example, we have a phenomenal opportunity for young children to hear members of the Philadelphia Orchestra called “Sound All Around” and it is specifically for families with small children. I've been to their performances and have loved it- and trust me, I’m picky about this stuff! They also have other offerings for families. Check out this link to find out more: http://www.philorch.org/families-kids. If not Philly, look around your area for musical opportunities for families with young children.
I would encourage all of you to look for a parent/child music class in your area. I heartily recommend any Music Together class that you might find. They have an outstanding, research-based program with a strong emphasis on parents and children engaging together in music, so you know I love it. Here is their website: www.musictogether.com. Temple University also has a good program for young children: http://www.temple.edu/boyer/musicprep/programs/inst_childhood.htm
I also recommend this album of music for children from Music Together: http://store.musictogether.com/family-favorites-download-info.php. This is the song collection that we utilized for the Active Group parent/child music class, and it has several excellent songs. They have other fun stuff on the site to check out, too. I know I sound like I’m a salesman, but please know that I believe in their philosophy and instructional approach and therefore I can highly recommend their offerings to parents!
Lastly, I want to take a moment to thank you so very much for joining me on this part of your musical journey. I hope that you have realized that you do have it within your grasp to make more music on an everyday basis. I also hope that you have discovered that you are a better musician than you thought, and therefore you’ve been bolder in music-making yourself and with your child. It has been a pleasure and an honor. I thank you for your time, and I wish you all the very best!