2022 imagine Spotlight Webinars

WEBINAR #1: Music Therapy in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health; Presenters: Dr. Petra Kern, Dana Bolton, Erin Shina, & Alex Ruffner; Description: Now in its 13th edition, imagine continues to disseminate evidence-based information and trends in early childhood music therapy using reader-friendly terms and interactive multimedia to make it accessible to everyone. In this webinar, the imagine team introduces the 2022 issue content and takes a deep dive into music therapy in infant and early childhood mental health. Learn about this emerging topic from a historical and research-based standpoint, and hear about voices from the field.

WEBINAR #2: Music Therapy Clinical Practice: Protocols, Sample Forms and Video Demonstrations; Presenter: Dr. Deanna Hanson-Abromeit; Description: As one of music therapy's most accomplished scholars and leader of the Baby Music Intervention Research Lab at the University of Kansas, Dr. Deanna Hanson-Abromeit addresses the power of music to reduce stress responses. In this webinar, she addresses fundamental concepts of neuroscience and how music can improve the quality of stimulation and social support within the infant and young child’s environment. Learn about clinical applications through a case vignette and take home an infographic displaying key points.

WEBINAR #3: The Social Construct of Music Interaction With Newborn Infants; Presenter: Dr. Helen Shoemark; Description: Dr. Helen Shoemark, the pioneer of NICU music therapy research and practice in Australia, says, "The presence, the absence, the struggle, and the joys of parents and caregivers in an infant’s life shape why and how music therapy services are provided.” In this webinar, she focuses on the role of the parental voice to support the development of healthy parent-infant relationships. Gain research-based knowledge and learn how to create opportunities for families to develop confidence in their expressive capabilities and deepen the bonds supporting their children’s mental health and well-being.

WEBINAR #4: IECMH Programming in Music Therapy; Presenters: Callie Cowart, Amy Furman, & Patina Jackson; Description: Music therapy practitioners Callie Cowart, Amy Furman, and Patina Jackson experienced firsthand the pandemic's effects on infants' and young children’s mental health and well-being. In this webinar, they share three unique program descriptions addressing family support in the NICU, what returning to the in-person early childhood classroom looks like, and how songs can promote social emotional development of young children seen in private practice. Learn from the speakers’ tested and tried interventions and implement components into your settings.

WEBINAR #5: Practical Tips for Parents and Professionals; Presenter: Mallory Conners, Rose Anzel, Beth McLaughlin, Taylor Crouse, & Dena Register; Description:One thing the five music therapy experts all agree upon is that living through a pandemic means exposure to tremendous stressors that effect the mental health and well-being of young children and their families. In this webinar, the speakers talk about emotional regulation, compassion and kindness, teaching replacement behaviors, mnemonic grounding, and mindfulness techniques. Join them in exploring deep breathing exercises, music activities for parents, unique song interventions, and meditation and mindfulness practices.