Service-Learning Interview

Person Interviewed:

"E" (she/her)

Classroom parent

Date: 3/9/2022

Time of Interview: ~30 minutes

Questions:

1. What is your main concern regarding communication with your child?

2. Have you ever used music before to address this concern?

3. What types of music do you and L’s dad enjoy? What are L’s favorite types of music?

4. Any current favorite books that you read together as a family? (Books put to melody often help with communication skills)

5. How often do you make music together as a family? (Sing, play instruments, etc.)

6. What are your favorite activities in general to do together as a family?

7. Do you have any favorite music activities you do together as a family? If so what are they? (May be the same as #4, but can include dancing, making up songs, etc.)

Interview Blog:

I met with the Pathways Coordinator at Friends School in Louisville, KY. She connected me with E who is a the mother of one of my kindergartners. This student, "L" is 5 years old and has Down syndrome. The Pathways Coordinator connected me with E via email because of concerns E shared relating to communicating with her daughter. Prior to answering the interview questions, E shared with me via email that her main concern about L's communication is that she is constantly mixing past and present tenses and has trouble with time so it is difficult to gauge what L did at school that day versus what she did several weeks ago. E also informed me via email that her and L's dad are constantly looking for ways for L to "get her wiggles out" in a healthy way.

Unfortunately, our schedules could not line up. However, I sent the questions to E in a word document via email, and she sent them back to me very promptly with lots of valuable information. E expressed that her main concerns regarding L's communication are articulation and comprehension (receptive communication). Sometimes L does not have the concept to explain what she needs, and this leads to frustration and apathy after trying to explain herself. Also, E expressed that L does not offer lots of details when asked about her day at school and will only answer "yes" to yes/no questions and the last option when given multiple choice questions.

E and her husband, D, have never used music to directly address L's communication needs, but E said that the types of music L chooses to listen to gives them an idea of the mood she's in.  This family is very involved in music, and they make music together a LOT. Dance parties, singing,  playing lots of instruments. This is great because it means that they will be willing to try whatever resources I send them because they are already engaging in music so much.  Moreover, knowing the genres of music that the family enjoys is very helpful because I will be able to tailor the resources their needs. These resources will hopefully benefit both L and her parents and help with connection and communication among the family. Knowing L's favorite books is also very helpful because 1.) I can implement these into the resources, and 2.) I am just looking to expand my children's library for any kids I work with. E said that she and D read to L every night.

In conclusion, while E had shared lots of information with me previously via email, her answers to these interview questions proved very helpful, and the wheels are turning in my brain. I do not know exactly which direction I will take, but I have a handful of options that will be beneficial to both L and her parents.