NEW SONG: Bouncing and Swaying

This song can be used in both individual and group settings. In a group, children sit on parents laps while parents bounce or sway with the music. This can also be done with parents standing and holding children’ In an individual setting or with older children, children learn the difference between fast and slow and demonstrate movements with their own bodies by bouncing up and down or swaying side to side. this is a super simple song that is quick to learn and easy to sing. ENJOY!!     Bouncing and Swaying by On A Good Note Read More

New Song: Beanbag In My Hand

This new song is a perfect gross motor activity that all encourages attentive listening and identifying body parts.   I enjoy using this song in individual settings as well as in groups.  Enjoy! I love using my beanbags from Bear Paw Creek with this song! Be sure to check out all of their awesome USA made products!!   Beanbag In My Hand by On A Good Note Read More

Shout-Out to Bear Paw Creek

I just want to give a big shout-out to Bear Paw Creek!  Not too long ago, I received a shipment with some of their totes and bags!  Not only are they cute and colorful, they are SO HANDY!  I have put all of my bags into use and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them!! All of their products are made in the USA and with music therapists in mind! Aside from the bags, they have tons of other movement props, streams, bags, and totes that I am looking forward to ordering in the near future!  If you haven’t had the opportunity yet, PLEASE check them out! http://bearpawcreek.com/ Which Bear Paw Creek product is your favorite?? Read More

We Just Can’t “Let it Go”

It has been quite a while since I have heard a song catch on as well as this one.  I completely understand why “Let it Go” it has been banned in some schools.  It can be disruptive if one child starts humming the tune and EVERYONE bursts out in song. BUT IT’S JUST SO CATCHY! Even though I’ve sung this song at least 5 times a week for the past few months and I know every word, I’m not quite ready to let it go.  This song is golden for so many reasons.  When working at the hospital, it has provided me an instant “in” with nearly any child ages 2 – 10.  I immediately gain their trust and attention if I start singing their FAVORITE SONG!  When a client needs a little extra motivation to complete a task, singing, playing, or watching “Let it Go” serves as a great reward. Recently, I used “Let it Go” in a session with three sisters.  We used colorful scarves to dance and encourage specific movements while singing along.  One of the girls, Read More

Tap the Bells with Your Toes!

Every so often, my session plans don’t work out the way I planned.  As I mentioned in one of my MT advocacy posts, you cannot always predict how a client is feeling or how they are going to act on any given day, so you must remain flexible!  This next intervention came out of one of those flexible moments, creating an intervention on the spot to meet my client’s needs while still challenging them.  I could not have been more excited about the results. This is our second time doing this intervention, as it worked out so splendidly the first time! One of the large goals I am working on with this particular client is gross motor functioning.  We are working on maintaining balance, increasing individual leg movement, and increasing core strength. Here is the intervention: First, I placed the case of desk bells on the floor and asked the client to open it.  This requires him to use those fine motor skills to unzip the bag. I then ask him to pick up a specific color of bell (working Read More