The Avon branch of the Lorain Public Library came alive Feb. 25 in a monthly musical therapy session, known as musical toolbox, geared toward children with special needs.
Led by 29-year-old musician and performance major Janeen Hatt, the program serves as an important enrichment items for children with disabilities as well as provides them with a space to be themselves without judgement.
“We have been attending a variety of musical therapy sessions for a few months now,” says a mother of one of the kids, who preferred not to be named due to privacy reasons. “The programs are very beneficial to us because it is where we are not looked at as different and are sensory inclusive.”
The program, which has been around for many years, first came to the library when it opened about Labor Day of last year. Closing temporarily for the renovation updates that the library underwent, the program returned this month.
“I started out as a flute performance major but I didn’t love being in a practice room alone for hours,” says Hatt. “I always have been someone that likes to help others and being a musical therapist I am able to combine both of my talents and worlds.”
What makes Musical Toolbox different from other therapy sessions is the inclusion of tools for kids to interact with and take home as cognitive learning skills.
“We start the sessions with a hello song before going into different musical numbers as a way for the kids to get acclimated to the space,” Hatt says. “From there we move on to the tool portion which promotes cognitive skills that can be used at home like brushing your teeth or tying your shoes.”
Kids get to take home the tool as well as a copy of the song associated with it to further practicing the skills and have fun. The program meets at the Avon Branch of the library once a month on Saturdays as well as the North Ridgeville Library once a month. Exact dates for the events can be found by going to the library website calendars.
Hatt says, “It’s a fun safe space for kids to enjoy and be themselves and I enjoy helping with that. We’re all here to grow and learn and look past the differences along the way.”
