Pumpkins, Skeletons, Witches, Mummies and Ghosts were flying in the air during the Intergenerational Theme Music Therapy session between Children and Senior Champions at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Williamsburg. The senior champions were energized and stimulated by the youthful spirit of the pre-school children of Family Focus groups and to share their wisdom, energy, joy, patience, friendship, and kindness with the children.
The seniors began with a wellness exercise with included guided deep breathing to recorded music. Then the children were greeted and welcomed with their special welcome song. We then discussed the color,shape, texture and the smell of a pumpkin while moving and singing the words to the tune” I’m a Little Pumpkin (Teapot)”
The pumpkin bean bags were distributed and the children matched their same size with a senior champion friend. We sang “place your bean bag on your _____ on your ____.” The children and seniors loved placing the bean bags on their head. To collect the bean bags, everyone through their bean bag on a large pumpkin target in he middle of the circle.
The rhythm sticks were distributed to simulate the strength, texture and shape of our bones. Each senior and child were invited to share how they could tap their sticks together as a team, Then the sticks were tapped together to “The Addams Family” and tapping to the beat during the song.
We discussed the different bones in our body and what makes them grow strong and healthy. We then pointed to the various bones in our body with our rhythm sticks while singing the song “Dem Bones.” Everyone loved “walking” with their bones while tapping their legs. To collect the rhythm sticks, the children and seniors decided to build a skeleton on the floor out of their rhythm sticks.
Then we discussed mummies and decorating trees with toilet paper. The children then took toilet paper and wrapped their senior partner with toilet paper to the song Monster Mash. Some seniors encouraged the children to wrap their entire body (including their head and face)! Upwrapping and cleaning up the toilet paper was just as much fun for everyone as the wrapping.
The close the program by covering our heads with while see through scarves to the song “Ghostbusters” and moved our hands. Large gross motor movement and actions that followed the song were demonstrated by the children and seniors. They loved showing how their ghosts walked and moved with the hands.
This program continues to create many special bonding moments, expressive communication between generations and smiles, youthful energy, JOY and friendship through bridging and connecting both generations.
The children returned to their classroom and the senior champions sang several moon songs with scarves including “Moon River, Harvest Moon, By the Light of the Silvery Moon.” Reflective comments from the senior champions included: “we want to take all of the children home with us, we loved all of it, I feel wonderful, thank you, reinvigorated, rejuvenated, relaxed, and awesome!” #luvservingwithmusic
