Songs and music for adults with special needs page under construction 5 July 2015
Note to bild readers here. hidden pages
For later
Wider-readership pages (with some repeats)
- Broader themes - Songs and music for special needs situations here.
- More on Hiawatha of general interest here.
- Pages for general readers start here. Some are new.
This is the Home page for special needs aspects.
Proposed BILD page here.
Related issues here
An example of an A4 sheet used in the development of song/tune lists here Public page - no return link.
Update 13 July -
- Shades of appropriateness here
Any bild staff going to a dementia seminar on 14 July here? We could meet.- Nordoff Robbins - music therapy charity here
- End of Update
- Broader themes - Songs and music for special needs situations here.
- More on Hiawatha of general interest here.
- Pages for general readers start here. Some are new.
1
These songs and music pages for adults with special needs focus on adults with, mainly, congenital ailments. None suffer from dementia.
Pages under construction from 5 July 2015
2
The adults number an average of eight and come to a day centre on weekdays. Once a week, I spend half an hour with them playing songs and tunes, often within themed sessions. There are are also playlists of general songs.
3
The main point is that I wear costume related to the theme of the day. In the current WW1 commemorative four years, I appear at events (very few since my wife's condition has worsened) as a WW1 Regimental Highlander piper and play the pipes. At the other extreme, I could be Noah, a Destroyer Captain, Elvis, a lassoo-ing cowboy or Sitting Bull.
4
Those within this group would be unable to sing or clap here. Perhaps 90% could handle a tambourine or similar such as jingles.
5
Perhaps 30% could beat a drum. Perhaps 5% of that 30% would be in time with the music. Perhaps beat is the wrong word for many. It implies regularity even if different from the beat/rhythm of the song or music. Hitting the drum (also tambourine) could vary. Some might hit it more or less normally while others might demolish it if frail. Then there is tapping. Some might tap it more or less normally while others might scarcely touch whatever is in their hand.
6
Adult impairment here
7
Songs and music - Instruments here Not all for this group.
8
Readers who can point me to legislation and info on the age-appropriate aspects of interaction with adults in the context of these pages are asked would they kindly use the Contact page.
A photo of this sort needs a fair amount of explanation and all in good time. The header graphic likewise.
The adults number an average of eight and come to a day centre on weekdays. Once a week, I spend half an hour with them playing songs and tunes, often within themed sessions.
I may make a "grand entrance". Yes, there are socks at the back of the tank and the tune was "We're goin' to hang out the washing on the Seigfried Line".
Although this representation of a totem pole meant something to one or two of the adults, one just doesn't know if any of the others understood it.
The fragment of Indians at the foot of the graphic is enlarged on the left.
This raises discussion which we'll come to - eventually.
The boat-base has been used for three themes so far. WW1 and WW2 songs were played on this occasion.
The guns were also used on the tank. There is no emphasis on authenticity.
The funnel lifts off and is used as a maraca .
This section is the same as its counterpart public page without this 29 July update. Costumed grand entrances - GEs - will be rare as BT has been keen to ensure that age-appropriate interaction is maintained. It would be difficult to contest that the group is highly delighted with GEs.
However - 1
I can appreciate the factors involved and if one or two were to comment against my approach, nothing more needs to be said.
However 2
They are in the minority and, in another situation, they would be in a more suitable group.
Story
The sessions began in December 2014.
The first two weeks were used to explore songs and they were accompanied by instruments. Helpers were given song sheets. Agreed that this style is inappropriate.
Week 3
Xmas songs and carols.
Week 4
Then came the first grand entrance (GE) in soldier uniform to give focus on war songs.
Next time - general songs. After that, the pattern was set for GE once a fortnight.
Week 6
Regimental Highland piper GE with Scots songs, a few war songs and a few general songs (not on the bagpipe) including Elvis.
Week 8
GE Noah’s Ark with animal songs + general.
Week 10
Elvis GE
Week 12
GE with Naval Destroyer. A few war songs, plenty of sea songs, and more general songs to finish.
Week 14
Cowboy GE
Week 16
GE with The Flying Scotsman train. Train songs “difficult to sell” (an organiser. Forgot to play my bagpipe tune - The Flying Scotsman.
Week 18
GE in steam engine Train songs “difficult to sell” (an organiser).
Week 20
Indian costume but repeat the cowboy tunes. Arrive in canoe.
pagetop here for pasting Songs and music for adults with special needs here
To place as appropriate
Ready to contact, say, Lesley Barcham, BILD’s Ageing Well project manager, on 0121 415 6960 or l.barcham@bild.org.uk