Nicole R. Rivera, Ed.D
North Central College, Forest Park, Illinois
Laura Diaz
DuPage Children’s Museum, Naperville, Illinois
To best serve young children from diverse backgrounds, music therapists must begin to develop more culturally responsive practices through the process of critical self-reflection and ongoing learning. In this podcast, Dr. Nicole Rivera and Laura Diaz share a case example from a children’s museum working towards stronger culturally responsive practices through increased accessibility, institution-wide training, and relationship building. Looking to a related sector can provide insights and inspiration for music therapists’ own work.
Resources:
- Kim, S., & Whitehead-Pleaux, A. (2015). Music therapy and cultural diversity. Music Therapy Handbook, 51–63.
- Maude, S., Hodges, L. N., Brotherson, M. J., Hughes-Belding, K., Peck, N., Weigel, C., & Sharp, L. (2009). Critical reflections on working with diverse families: Culturally responsive professional development strategies for early childhood and early childhood special educators. Multiple Voices for Ethnically Diverse Exceptional Learners, 12(1), 38–53.
- Rivera, N. R., & Barlow, D. (2014). Developing multicultural sensitivity in early childhood music therapy practices. imagine, 5(1), 86–89.
- Teaching Tolerance. (2020). Topics. https://www.tolerance.org/topics
- The Latino Family Literacy Project. (2018). What does it mean to be culturally responsive? https://www.latinoliteracy.com/mean-culturally-responsive/
About the Authors:
Nicole R. Rivera is an Associate Professor of Psychology at North Central College. Prior to her work in higher education, Nicole served with young children as a Board Certified Music Therapist for 17 years. Nicole currently serves at the DuPage Children’s Museum’s Academic Research and Evaluation Partner.
Contact: nicolelrivera@hotmail.com
Laura Diaz is the Community & Family Access Specialist at the Dupage Children’s Museum (DCM). Prior to her position at DCM, Laura worked as a bilingual seasonal youth leader with elementary school aged children for four years.
Contact: ldiaz@dupagechildrensmuseum.org
Suggested Citation:
Rivera, N. R., & Diaz, L. (2020, July 1). Exploring the work of a children’s museum: Learning about culturally responsive practices [Audio podcast]. imagine. www.imagine.musictherapy.biz