For those of you who teach music lessons or play an instrument yourself, there are few gifts as good as FREE sheet music (for songs you’ll actually use!) I’m always looking for music to share with my students and play in sessions and I like to do it on a budget. Making Music Fun is a great website with tons of resources for teachers and students alike. They have a list of over a hundred different songs divided into categories based on level and genre. Check out their website for awesome resources and TONS of FREE sheet music! http://makingmusicfun.net/htm/printit_piano_sheet_music_index.htm Read More
Tag: Resources
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
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
There’s an App for That! – Music Therapy Ed Course
This past summer we bought an iPad for my business. I was so thrilled!!! At the same time I was terrified! Technology and I have not always had the best relationship but I knew how much my clients would benefit from using an iPad within sessions. Because I had never used an iPad or iPhone before, I had no idea where to start. Thanks to the awesome team at Music Therapy Ed and their 2 iPad courses, I have become much more comfortable using the iPad! Bonnie Hayhurst of The Groovy Garfoose has put together two amazing courses detailing over 150 apps, best practices of how to use the iPad appropriately in sessions, tips on keeping your iPad in tip top shape, and ideas on how to choose the best apps for your clients! Within the courses Bonnie has divided the apps by category. So whether you are looking for an app to support sensory needs, expression, motor development/planning, instruments playing, or nearly anything else, Bonnie shows you that there is certainly an App For That! Bonnie walks you through how 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