I thought I'd kick off 2011's first Music Mantra post with a re-post of my chat with Barbara. She is an amazing and inspirational lady. Enjoy our chat!
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CHYNNA: Barbara, welcome to “The Gift” blog. Thanks so very much for finding a bit of time from your current schedule to join us here. For those who may not be familiar with your phenomenal accomplishments, could you please give is a bit of your background?
BARBARA: I think phenomenal accomplishments would refer to parents like you who are willing to be conscious of their child’s sensory needs and honor their child’s uniqueness 24/7 (including loving themselves in the moments when they don’t!)
What I am good at is creating games to play with children that enhance their skills, (motor, social, language, cognition) that can be played spontaneously or only use materials easily found around the home such as mismatched socks and aluminum cans.
As an occupational therapist, I have given workshops on making toys and games out of ordinary materials in many places in the world. I especially like going to rural areas or developing countries where therapeutic materials are scarce. Examples of places I’ve gone are orphanages in Cambodia and Nicaragua, hospitals in Vietnam and New Zealand, universities in Fiji and Roratonga, an outer island in Hong Kong for boat people and in many Pacific island such as Kosrae, Tinian and Saipan .
This summer I gave a workshop for the National Autistic Society in Halifax, England and for a group of therapists in Norway. I also did a 7-hour workshop in Portland, Oregon for parents and professionals who work with or have kids on the spectrum. There was a lot of laughing and learning going on and at the end, they all made some sensational toys and games from recycled materials.
There is a greater appreciation for the power of play developing now and I plan to do more workshops in the States.
CHYNNA: That’s so inspirational that you used your experience and knowledge to create these phenomenal tools for our ‘sensational’ kids. You are affectionately known as “The Game Lady.” How did that come about?
BARBARA: When I work with “my” children with special needs in the inclusive classroom, I do it by playing a game with all the children. I choose a game that will benefit “my” child, such as one that increases motor skills, but is fun for all to play. When I walk into the classroom, the kids get all excited because they know it means they will soon play a game. One time a child saw me coming and said aloud, “Here comes the ‘Game Lady’” and the name stuck
CHYNNA: Oh, Barbara, that is so beautiful! You actually made me tear up! How wonderful that those kids associated your presence with fun. What a gift. You’ve authored nine books as well as an interactive CD. What inspired all of your work?
BARBARA: I see how well all kids, no matter the country or culture, respond to playing games. Some games are especially helpful in helping children pay attention and focus, others games are better in comforting children in emotional moments, still others are good for promoting self esteem, etc. So, I have placed different games in the nine books.
Also, children love novelty so I have given many ideas and variations to keep the children’s interest high and “newness” also makes it more exciting for staff and parents.
I’m pleased that other countries buy the rights to publish my books and so far they have been translated into 8 different languages. I get a kick that one of the books, Smart Play, has been translated into Hebrew and Arabic. Maybe, their kids will play together someday!
CHYNNA: Isn’t that incredible? I hope they do play together one day. =) Let’s talk more about the CD SONGAMES. Can you describe it for us and what its purpose is?
BARBARA: The 28 games in Instant Songgames are designed to help children learn in the most pleasant way possible...when they are having fun. They are learning about their bodies, their feelings, their preferences and each other. The musical play also stimulates the development of language and memory. Knowing themselves, the ways in which they are unique and the ways they share with others provides the basis of solid self-esteem.
CHYNNA: I think it’s fantastic and all of my kids just love it. I love your quote, “Play is not just the way children learn, it’s a way they thrive.” So true. We’ve always used music with Jaimie in her therapy and everything else we do. Can you share your thoughts about why play and music is so important for our kids
What is important in this CD is singing. Singing is said to stimulate the right side of the brain where creativity and a larger sense of well-being reside. I see the difference between telling a child what I want him or her to do by singing the words rather than talking. When I sing, it’s easier to capture their attention.
Children on the spectrum often have a hard time with transitions but by singing what is coming next, I find the information is softened and more easily heard
CHYNNA: Oh, Barbara…that is just beautiful. I’ve always believed in the power of music. I’ve seen how it works on my own children and I’ve always sung to them. In times of total sensory overload, it’s always been the one thing that’s ‘reached’ them. SONGAMES is a perfect CD for ‘sensational’ kids. I think what I love the most is how it’s divided into ‘Realms’. Can you talk a bit about why it’s presented this way as well as a description of the sorts of games/music in each Realm?
BARBARA: The credit for coming up with the idea of realms is the brainchild of MaBoAublo, Bob Wiz, Lois Hickman and Aubrey Lande, a wonderful creative group that produced Instant Songgames after hearing me sing my songs. (At the end of the tape, I sing one song)
The song games were organized into the four domains that were being addressed:
- Horse: To help children develop an awareness of their body, how it works and moves.
- Dolphin: To provide a fun stress-free way for children to appreciate their uniqueness.
- Eagle: To help children connect with others and share who they are on the path to personal joy and acceptance of diversity.
- Frog: To honor imaginative play and give voice to dreams and wishes.
CHYNNA: How wonderful that we get to hear you sing! And thank you so much for outlining the Realms for us. How can we incorporate this CD into our regular sensory diet routine? Can teachers use this in school? Any tips for teachers too?
BARBARA: Teachers often have circle time and so many of these songgames are just perfect for that time. I regularly go into classroom during circle time and play a variety of songgames. Pick any one of them in the book that accompanies the CD. Each game is spelled out and the directions are easy to follow. The songgames can be played with children who have different skill levels so they are good for the classroom and at home with sibling of different ages.
For example, the song called ‘Names, Names, We all have Names,” is a good social game and promotes the awareness of others. “I’ve Got A Sound Inside of Me,” encourages creativity. “Can you do what I do” is good for promoting healthy imitating and lightening the moment. (One time when my 7-year-old twin grandsons were hot, tired, hungry and sandy after a day at the beach, we played this game. We were in a van on the ride home and they were not in the mood for games. But I started this game anyway and they got into taking turns coming up with silly movements for us to imitate and we all had fun and it showed me, once again, that these games can definitely lighten things up.)
CHYNNA: Oh, I LOVE that, Barbara! Thanks so much for sharing that with us. Jaimie just loves, “I’ve Got A Song Inside of Me”. What are the most important tips you can give to caregivers about play and music?
BARBARA: Take time to dance to music, to sing songs and, of course, to play. Play your games, play their games, make up games on the spot, make up songs about what’s happening. Don’t worry if your songs are dumb or your game is silly, it’s about being open to creativity and the moment. It’s about us all being okay with who we are.
CHYNNA: Excellent advice. And guess what? We play so many dance, movement and singing games when our curtains are wide open. It doesn’t even matter who is watching! Do you have any upcoming events you’d like us to know about? Where can we ‘find’ you and your projects online?
BARBARA: Go to my website http://www.gameslady.com/ to read about my books. Youtube also has some videos of me playing games with kids on the spectrum. Type in “barbara sher games”.
I am open to giving more workshops in new places in the States. If a group want to organize a workshop, just write me at barbara.sher@gmail.com or leave me a message on my www.gameslady.com site and we’ll talk. :-)
CHYNNA: Great. I hope our readers take the time to check you out on YouTube! (I have!) I’d love it if you could share any pearls of wisdom you may have.
BARBARA: I think this is an interesting time in the evolution of parenting. We are a long way from children being “seen and not heard” and our spectrum children are helping that process along. They let us know, for example, when noises are too loud, clothes are too scratchy and smells too strong, characteristics of life that we were taught to ignore but which affected us unconsciously anyway. We are all starting to pay more attention to their needs and our own needs, including the effects of diet and the environmental.
Parenting has become more real and interactive. Before, certainly in my generation, parents had to pretend that all was well; now parents talked to each other, vent and commiserate and, most importantly, share ideas, understanding that not one-way work for everyone.
We are all doing the best we can with what we know. And we all keep on learning!
I don’t have anything to add to Barbara’s amazing pearls. Please grab her interactive CD SONGAMES and be sure to check out her Website and Workshops. Thank you so very much, Barbara, for visiting us on “The Gift” blog and feel free to come back anytime. Your insight and pearls will always be welcome.
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