MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAMMING For Kids age 5-8
FHSR Launches Summer Music Therapy Pilot Program at Three Locations
Based on the groundbreaking work of Dr. Kate Gfeller, University of Iowa and Advisory Board member, FHSR expanded our music programming to include Music Therapy for children living with hearing loss, a long-time goal of the Foundation.
“Rooted in science and delivered in a fun musical setting, the cooperative nature of musical activities in a music therapy program for deaf and hard of hearing children leads to the use of communicative skills through attaining social goals of turn taking, following direction, cooperation and awareness of others in addition to improved listening skills, spoken language and language development”
Created specifically for deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) children, ages 5-8, this unique research based, tuition-free music therapy program was offered at 3 locations: 2 in Chicago and 1 in the Western Springs.
Meeting once a week for an hour over the course of 6 weeks, this interactive and engaging program had the goal of sharpening a DHH child’s listening skills while boosting their self-esteem, socialization, and articulation with their peers in a fun musical setting.
To make music therapy a reality, FHSR partnered with top music therapy group, Prospect Music Therapy, and lead researcher Laura Pawuk, PhD Music and Therapeutic Arts from Eastern Michigan University, to create a specific curriculum for kids deaf or hard of hearing. With this tool our professional music therapists were trained to provide musical experiences that were accessible to kids with a variety of hearing profiles. While taught in a small group setting, the music therapists were able to establish accommodations or individualized approaches so that each child was able to reach his or her potential while also having fun. Siblings were included in the summer classes, and they benefitted from this program as well! 
Based on parent feedback from a post survey, DHH children strongly benefitted from engaging in music activities with their peers, increased listening skills, and increased sound identification.
In 2023 the music therapy program will be offered as a 12-week program over the winter months and will include activities such as focusing on listening to and making music to encourage careful listening (auditory training); singing and playing songs to support speech and language development; making music together as part of social and cultural connection with others; music making as part of personal enrichment and self-esteem.
Schedule and locations along with registration will be available in October 2022, we hope you join us for this tuition-free program.
MTME Summer Tuition Free Music Therapy Program, the newest Music to My Ears program component,
will launch its first Session this summer for DHH kids ages 5-8
Classes will meet on hour per week starting June 21-Aug 1, 2022 at 3 locations
Western Springs
Chicago – North Side
Chicago – South Side
While the idea of music for children with hearing loss may seem counter-intuitive, most children with hearing loss have some residual hearing. Furthermore, people with profound hearing losses can enjoy rhythm and movement, even if melody is difficult to hear.
Specific objectives for music therapy at camp will be individualized for each child.
Some of our goals include:
Listening to or making music to encourage careful listening (auditory training)
Singing, playing and writing songs to support speech and language development
Making music together as part of social and cultural connection with others
Music making as part of personal enrichment and self-esteem.
Listening to and making music with friends and family can provide fun adventures and new, exciting sounds to explore. Age appropriate siblings are welcome to join.
Music therapy is so important! Providing our families with access to this programming is a dream come true!
Our professional music therapists are trained to provide musical experiences that are fun and accessible to kids with a variety of hearing profiles.
Music therapists are trained to set up accommodations or individualized approaches to learning so that each child can reach his or her potential while also having fun!
Participating in music therapy can provide a good foundation to help DHH kids in school music, when attending music events in the community, or informal music fun at home. The summer music program will include siblings as well as kids with hearing loss; therefore, this can be a fun family event!
Classes will meet for One hour – Once a Week Starting the week of June 21 for 6 weeks
Time / Place
Child’s Voice
1846 W. Belmont Ave. Chicago, Il.
Thursdays 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Hello Baby – 600 E 61st St, Chicago Il.
Tuesdays 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Music Makers of Western Springs – 4332 Howard Ave.Western Springs, Il.
Fridays 10 am – 11am
Meet the 2002 Music Therapy Team
Loren Goodman MA, MT-BC, NMT
Loren is a board-certified music therapist and the founder of Prospect Music Therapy. She studied music therapy at the University of Dayton and later completed her master’s degree in Creative Arts Therapy – Music Therapy at MCP Hahnemann University in Philadelphia. Loren has experience providing music therapy in a variety of settings including special education, hospice, dementia care, and the medical field. She loves working in Mount Prospect, the community where she lives with her husband, four children, and chihuahua, Skippy. Leandra Ward, MT-BC, NMT
Leandra Ward is a graduate from Eastern Michigan University and completed her clinical internship at the Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero in California. She has experience working with adults in psychiatric settings, and people with all ages with developmental disabilities and neurodiversity. She currently resides in Steger, Illinois and is pursuing a certificate in Sign Language Interpretation from Moraine Valley Community College. She loves reading, painting by number, performing, and playing video games with her dog, Howard, and cats, B.B. and Lewie, nearby.
Laura Pawuk, MM, MT-BC
Laura Pawuk, MM, MT-BC, is a board-certified music therapist and Program Consultant for FHSR Summer Music Therapy Program. For three years, she was a team member of Lurie Children’s Cochlear Implant Program where she provided music therapy for cochlear implant recipients ages 1 – 18. Laura is currently an Assistant Professor of Music Therapy – Mental Health at Eastern Michigan University. She also serves as the Clinical Coordinator for the university’s Music Therapy Center.
Music is a whole-brain activity that generates physiologic responses. Its predictable and structured nature can improve attention, enhance learning, and expand communication. Music listening and creation are motivating social experiences that can access memories and express or alter emotions.
As music therapists, we feel honored to connect with our clients through the art form that we love. As a team, we continually work to improve our skills through continuing education and peer supervision, and our work benefits from our ability to consult with one another.
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
The University of Iowa has a free-access curated website (part of the Iowa Head and Neck Protocols) that provides information about music and hearing loss. Topics include:
- Hearing Devices and Music,
- Improving Music Enjoyment,
- Musicians, Hearing Protection, and Hearing Loss,
- Loud Music in Restaurants,
- Coping with Hearing Loss,
- Testing Music Perception.
It includes information for people with hearing loss and their families, audiologists, music therapists, musicians, and music educators.
Date – Saturday, July, 16 2022
Time – 10:30 am gather 11:00 am Concert.
Place – Live at Ravinia
FHSR is so excited to welcome Laurie Berkner, a nationally beloved children’s music artist again as our Cheers for Ears 2022 entertainment.
We will be singing, dancing and making music together at the iconic venue Ravinia.
Laurie shares her talent with audiences all over the world through her YouTube channel.
EXPLORE OTHER MUSIC PROGRAMMING OPTIONS
MUSIC TO MY EARS (MTME) SCHOLARSHIP
The Music To My Ears Scholarship Program allows all children, regardless of financial need, to attend weekly music enrichment classes and experience the joy of music with their caregivers and hearing peers.
The scholarship will provide one year of tuition-free music classes to (up to 12 years of age) who are deaf or hard of hearing and living in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs
A $900 donation will sponsor a year of classes for one deaf or hard of hearing child. This amount will allow children who might not otherwise be able to afford music enrichment classes to attend weekly music classes and experience the joy of music with their hearing peers.
HELP US BRING MUSIC THERAPY TO FAMILIES
As you consider a gift to FHSR, this is an area where you can make significant impact very quickly. We are seeking to add Music Therapy programming and need your help to make it a reality!
