Last Minute Music Therapy Intervention Ideas for the Holidays

We’re already in the middle of December! Can you believe it? If your clients are anything like mine, they all want to hear the same three Christmas songs over and over. If you’ve mastered Jingle Bells and sung all of the fa la la’s out of Deck the Halls, then it might be time for a a couple fresh ideas. Below are a couple of my wintery songs as well as links to some other amazing holiday resources posted by music therapists! Songs – It’s Christmas Time Counting Snowflakes    Free Christmas Sheet Music HERE Educational snow and winter chants from Tuned Into Learning 12 Goals of Christmas from Music Therapy = <3 Music Therapy Christmas Carols from Coast Music Therapy Holiday Piggy Back Songs also from Coast Music Therapy  Fresh Holiday Intervention Ideas from Sound Scape Music Therapy   Happy Holidays! Read More

Counting Snowflakes – A Song for Counting

I’m always looking for new seasonal songs.  This new counting song is a good tune to prepare for the winter months! With words and pictures related to snowflakes falling and blowing through the air, you can’t pass it up. Several of my clients are working on goals related to counting, math, vocalization, articulation, creating eye contact, following directions, and taking turns.  This song naturally helps facilitate those goals.  Clients have to listen for the number given at the end of the song then place the correct number off snowflakes on the ground or in the middle of the group.  Clients can be instructed to count out loud, count the total number of snowflakes, count how many are left, or can be asked to pass the snowflakes to a friend depending on the specific goals of each client. This is a versatile counting song perfect for those winter months!   Counting Snowflakes by On A Good Note Read More

CYBER MONDAY SALE

Looking for great deals this Cyber Monday!  Well we’ve got one for you!  Stock up on kids tunes, educational/therapeutic resources, and fun materials this holiday season!  Head on over to onagoodnote.bandcamp.com  and use the code: cyber50 to get 50% off all songs, albums, and resources listed on the page.  This sale won’t last long so hurry on over!       Don’t forget to check out a few of our FREE resources, too! Music Note Memory Game In The Hospital (fill in the blank song) Songs with printable resources Practicing Checklist Practice Chart Road Trip Resource   Read More

Thanksgiving Resources & Songs

I cannot believe we have already arrived at the week of thanksgiving! Where has the time flown this year!  Before you know it I’ll be posting about Christmas.  All of the decorations are up, the turkey is soon to be thawing in the fridge, and families are getting ready to travel.  If you’re anything like me though, you are still going to be working and doing sessions this week!   So, in honor of Thanksgiving I’ve complied a few resources for music therapists.  Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving!   1.  Four Educational Thanksgiving Chants from Tuned Into Learning These four chants work on a variety of concepts including naming colors, counting, sharing, telling time, turn taking, and social skills.   I love these adorable chants and FREE printouts!  I’ll be using two of them today in my own sessions! 2.   Thanksgiving Song Writing Activity from Music Therapy = <3 This song writing activity is a great opportunity for older clients (teens & up) to discuss what they are thankful for, work on expression, identify feelings, and understand what the holiday Read More

Favorite Resource – Pinterest

Sometimes I get stuck in a rut, doing the same things and singing the same songs during sessions. I know that if it’s getting repetitive and boring for me, then it is definitely starting to feel that way for my client.  New material can not only reenergize your sessions but can support your clients needs in new and exciting ways.  Often I create my own materials, write my own songs, and develop specific interventions for my individual clients.  However, I sometimes need a little inspiration.  That is where Pinterest comes into play. Pinterest is used by therapists, parents, teachers, artists, and musicians all over wanting to share their ideas, interventions, and songs!  Whenever I’m looking for something new to use with a particular client, I know I can search pinterest and always find something helpful.   After logging in for the first time, you can start to search for topics, ideas, people, and websites.  One search I recently completed was for DIY instruments.  After typing in the desired topic and hitting the search button, a full screen of pictures containing those Read More