Even before the COVID 19 school shutdown was actually put into place, Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES Department for Exceptional Children’s creative arts therapists were exploring ways to continue to connect with their students. Department Chair Christopher Gold organized his team of talented music and art therapists and interns and launched a new YouTube channel: BOCES 2 Music Therapy.
“Our therapists normally provide direct services to almost 200 students,” said Gold. “We work with them in BOCES and district-based classrooms and occasionally at home. Music and art therapy are powerful disciplines that support learning, communication, socialization, identification and expression of emotions as well as specific life skills for children with disabilities. It’s especially important now to keep providing these supports.”
“We want to maintain connection with students, and help parents who want to keep their children learning, motivated and regulated at home during this unprecedented time,” said music therapist Mary White. “Music and art can give students creative ways to learn, a sense of structure, movement to keep physically active, ways to express their feelings and opportunities to participate through communication.”
The therapists have quickly created an impressive collection of engaging performances for preschool through transition-aged students, and have included links to other YouTube channels for music and learning. White’s own Catch That Sneeze is a fun set of healthy tips. Children who are anxious can feel better with the musical reading of The Pout Pout Fish. The Nervous Song gives children solutions to help them work out their feelings. I See a Bunny includes making and playing simple instruments, as well as exploring movement. Other videos feature sing-alongs, relaxation and calmness techniques, storybooks read to music and ideas to stay happy. There is even an art project that asks children to explore how they are feeling as they create their own mandala design.
Gold said that many students and caregivers using the new channel have sent thanks and positive feedback. The therapists are using family suggestions to create new performances that address specific student motivators, and there is even a group songwriting project in the works. The team hopes to continue adding new videos daily.
“I am so grateful to be part of a such a wonderful and creative team that works together to support our students, even during such a challenging time,” said White. “We miss our students!”