Bringing generations together through motion music therapy is exactly what Connie Kearns’s Musical Journey program is all about.
Kearns, who ran the program for nine years, has brought it back to Cochrane after a long hiatus. It ended eight years ago when Kearns was diagnosed with cancer in 2009.
“It was disappointing to a lot of people,” Kearns said. “It was heartbreaking.”
Having the program back in full swing has been music to the community’s ears.
“We need more programs from the general public that involve seniors,” the music teacher said, who has been a certified in music motion therapy for the past 16 years. “The seniors have so much to offer these kids.”
Musical Journey’s original intent was to help children with brain development. Kearns said it was such a success she wanted to use this therapy to bring generations together. In 2006, she realized that goal by creating a curriculum that involved both families and seniors.
This program unites the generations in an environment where they can interact together in various ways, such as singing, dancing, playing various games, and much more.
Music therapy is using musical experiences like improvisation, singing, listening, discussing and moving to the music to help individuals in many ways, which include: cognitive functioning, motor skills, emotional development, social skills and quality of life.
Cochrane mom Kelly Hembroff is extremely happy with how her children have reacted to the program.
“I thought it would be a great program for my kids to go to sing and dance with the seniors,” Hembroff stated. “The seniors love it – the smile on their faces.’”
She said her two kids, Kash, 6, and Maggie, 2, countdown the days to when they get to see the seniors.
I watch my kids grow in that program,” Hembroff said, adding how amazing the program has been. “My daughter was shy and she’s becoming more open – my kids give hugs to the seniors.”
Musical Journey runs Thursday at Bethany Cochrane and Friday at Big Hill Lodge at – and run between 30 and 45 minutes – new sessions and new curriculum start every eight weeks.
The residents of Big Hill Lodge are very interactive with the children while the Bethany residents in the program are in wheelchairs so the children are more interactive with them.
Bob Dick, a resident at the Big Hill Lodge, said he enjoys the program.
“I’m quite impressed with the program,” stated Dick, who has been at the lodge for roughly a year. “And how beautifully the children respond to it.”
Dick applauds how well Kearns gets the children and seniors interacting – and how well the children act around the residents.
“They are all so cheerful and well-mannered.” Dick stated. “We’re not terrible people who scare the heck out of them.”
Dick believes all seniors have something to learn from children – he describes his experience as a strong reminder of his time as a father, which has prepared him for when the grandchildren are around.
Kearns claims that when she plays music from the 30s, 40s and 50s she sees how happy the seniors are and how excited they are to share the music from their past with the children.
The benefits of seniors and children interaction is something that is being recognized across the country as very valuable – two senior homes in Canada, Kipling Acres in Toronto, Ontario and Columbia Garden Village in Invermere, B.C., both have daycares in their facilities.
