Implementing Music Station

My name is Amanda Swartz, I am senior Human Development and Family Sciences major. My honors creative project has been mentored by Dr. Jacquelyn Mosley in the Human Environmental Sciences Department. My research was concluded during the Spring of 2023, and I plan to further my education while pursuing a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling.

My research was based around how I can create a more inclusive playground and environment in the outdoor playground area at the Jean Tyson Child Development Study Center. To start, I needed to research what inclusive looked like, what were some playgrounds lacking in when it comes to inclusivity and then what was realistic that I could bring to JTCDSC. I chose this topic because for every HDFS student they either use the JTCDSC in a lab or reference it in courses and I felt it would be an amazing opportunity to give back to the center that gives so much to the college students to learn from. So I knew from the start I wanted my topic to surround infants and toddlers and my creative project to be for the JTCDSC.

My mentor was recommended to me from my academic advisor, Donia Timby. Ms. Timby knew the direction I was hoping to go with my creative project and knew how much Dr. Mosley was passionate and knowledgeable about inclusion. I met with Dr. Mosley, and we started talking and it was a great fit from the start! We have always had a great line of communication and working with her has been the best research experience.

I learned a lot about this research topic and just how hard it is to implement something that is truly going to be effective whenever you are not the one to see it all the way through. When I installed both my art and music stations at the center, I quickly realized that there would be a lot of support needed from the educators and staff at the center if these stations were truly going to be successful and fulfill the purpose of them being there. Whenever I defended my thesis, I spoke with the director at the center and my committee on what other ideas could be brought about to ensure that my stations were able to be used by the children. Challenges like this one have just taught me throughout the last few months that sometimes even when you think that you have thought about everything, you have not. I have pushed myself a lot over the past few months to think innovatively and outside the box in order to make this project the best it could be.

My mentor, Dr. Mosley, was a constant supporter during the entire duration of this creative project. What I really appreciated is how if I had an idea or something that I was really passionate about and wanted to make work, she stuck by me and allowed me to see it all the way through. She guided me, but she also let me make my own decisions so that I would learn on my own. I also had Ms. Timby give lots of advice and counsel me in areas that dealt with child development so that I would have her expertise as well.

The future for me will include pursuing my masters in clinical mental health counseling. I want to continue to make an impact in children’s lives by helping them cope through events that life throws at them. I have loved being able to give back to my community through this creative project and I hope that my career can continue to allow me to do just that.