We Don’t Just Play Our Jingle Bells…We WEAR Them!

Wrist Jingle Bells in Music Class & Music Therapy

I love a good movement prop, especially one that doubles as an instrument…so when I saw these wrist jingle bells from Bear Paw Creek, I knew I had to have them. Not surprisingly, they’ve been a big hit with my students!

Of course, a new movement prop calls for a new song, and I was immediately inspired to write “Jinglin’ High Five” once I received these beauties. I wanted to play upon the fact that these jingle bells can be worn while also addressing several goals at the same time.

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Music Through the Decades

Music Through the Decades

This year in planning for summer at Music Therapy Connections, our music therapist Alisabeth came up with a fantastic idea. She set out to create an enriching experience for both the students and staff with whom she works in a school setting, all while celebrating popular American music over the last 100+ years.

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{GGB 64} Tackling Summer

Guitars & Granola Bars Podcast | Episode 64: Tackling Summer

Summer can be a tricky time for working moms. Our school-aged kids are out of school, everyone’s schedules are out of wack, and life as we know it goes a little haywire.

In this episode, Jaime and I talk about our plans for this summer and how we tackle this time of year in order to stay productive, keep everyone happy, and have fun (a tall order, we know).

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10 Go-To Instruments for Music Therapy

10 Go-To Instruments for Music Therapy

Every single week without fail, I receive at least one email asking this very important question:

“Which instruments do you use the most and recommend I should have in my collection?” 

Music therapy students, interns, new professionals, preschool teachers, and parents have asked for my input, and though I’ve written blog posts on this very topic in the past, I wanted to create one comprehensive resource I could easily share with everyone.

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Shaking Up Goals (and Achieving Them!) with Fruit Shakers

Achieving Goals in Music Therapy with Fruit Shakers

If there’s one kind of instrument I can’t live without, it has to be the fruit shakers. These fun and colorful instruments hold so many possibilities and bring a smile to everyone’s face.

Pairing the catchy song “Shaky Fruit Salad” with these musical apples, oranges, lemons and bananas is a great way to mix up boring old egg shakers, while still addressing many important developmental goals!

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