American Music Therapy Association

An integrative, medical, music therapy team will lead experiential, hands-on training to meet Tier I competency for this international, evidence-based, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit training inclusive of three prongs: environmental music therapy, trauma training in music psychotherapy with care givers, and evidence-based live music therapy interventions for premature infants. Attendees will visit an NICU and receive a certificate indicating their completion of Tier I of the First Sounds: RBL Training. Prerequisites: Tier I for Professionals including MT-BCs, MDs and RNs.  Health professionals aside from music therapists are also invited; to register, contact Cindy Smith @ Smith@musictherapy.org or 301-589-3300 ext.102.  

Learner Objectives:

1.  Attendees will design live music applications of the trans-natal environment (IIA2c) focused on rhythm, timbre and tonal inter-uterine elements to foster comfort, stability, nurturance, safety, increasing opportunities for entrainment and self-regulation for the premature infant.

2.  Attendees will demonstrate knowledge and application of the First Sounds model-contingent singing (IIA, 1a), and evaluation of applicative sounds & music to increase respiratory, sleep, feeding and quiet-alert opportunities with proficiency IB4, b, c). 

3.  Attendees will demonstrate and develop the blanket of sound applications: tonal-vocal holding, with competence to develop lullabies catered to address the developmental, physical, emotional and cultural needs of the infant & family-including the evaluation of the caregivers’ level of trauma (IIA2g) in order to identify music anchors (IIA5u) whereby families of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit infants will entrust music therapy support to enhance the caregiver-infant bonding process.

4.  Attendees will explicate, through trauma amelioration theory (IB4), music’s process in Environmental Music Therapy (IIA5j), providing a tangible means of coping where professional & personal caregivers can connect to infants through song of kin. Live music interventions, modulating noise (IIA4c), where the family's music can be honored will support the infant-caregiver bonds and subsequent attachment.

Schedule:

8am: Overview of NICU
        10:15: Break
        10:30: Rhythm, Breath & Lullaby Part 1
        12:00: Lunch
        1:00pm: NICU - Environment - Aspects of Care
        2:00pm: Rhythm, Breath & Lullaby Part 2
        3:15: Break
        3:30: Rhythm, Breath & Lullaby Part 3
        4:20: Song of Kin and Lullaby presentations
        5:15: Break
        5:25: Wrap-up, questions and evaluations.