Free Download: “Little Red Apples”
This is one of many counting songs I’ve written, which focuses on counting both up to 5 and down from 5. I created simple apple visual aides (using red construction paper and then laminating) which my students can then manipulate as we count.
Click here to download the mp3 and lyrics/chords.
P.S. If you want access to my entire collection of over 200 songs (mp3, lead sheet, and instrumental track), videos, tutorials, and visual aides, plus ALL new releases from Listen & Learn Music, consider joining me over at Listen & Learn Plus!
Put a Little Love In Your Heart
Sometimes I hear a song on the radio, and I think to myself, “Okay, how can I bring this into my music therapy sessions or music classes?” I’m sure that’s what was going through Rachel’s mind when she decided to use this 50-year-old song in her classes and sessions!
Today, I’d like to explain all the ways I’ve been using this song to reach the goals and objectives my clients and students are striving for in music therapy and music enrichment classes.
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The Longest Month Ever
As I type this, it is the final day of what has felt like the LONGEST. MONTH. EVER. I’m still not completely convinced that February will actually arrive tomorrow. Based on the number of memes I’ve seen on the internet, I’m not alone in feeling this way.
Between spending the first week of the month home with kids on winter break, trying to get back into the swing of real life, 3 separate home-from-school illnesses, and now almost an entire week off due to extreme cold, January has been…challenging.
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Love is in the Music
Although I’m not a huge fan of the weather in February, I am a massive fan of Valentine’s Day! I just love LOVE! The sweet heart-shaped decorations, watching children exchange Valentine’s cards, and getting a lovely bouquet of flowers from my man…I love it all.
Valentine’s Day presents a great opportunity to sing about love, and to discuss other emotions as well. Emotions can be such a challenging topic for many children, but set some memorable lyrics to a catchy melody, and talking about feelings can actually be fun! Read on to learn about two such songs for addressing emotions.
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Let’s Make a Cuppa “Hot Chocolate”
Hot chocolate is the #1 most requested treat at my house during the winter months. My kids love the entire process, from helping stir in the chocolate, to adding marshmallows (and sprinkles), and then of course, drinking it.
They were my inspiration for writing this song, and we’ve been singing it nonstop for the last couple of weeks! It has been an instant hit with my students, as well. The repetitive, catchy melody is super singable, and it’s so much fun to pair with shakers as we act out the process of making hot chocolate.
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Goal-Based Songs Inspired by Fond Winter Memories
As a child, I spent lots of time with my grandparents, and one of my favorite activities my sister and I would do with them was go ice skating. After ice skating at the cold ice rink, my grandpa would always make us some hot chocolate to warm us up.
I have so many fond memories of my childhood, and when I was scrolling through the L&L catalog and stumbled upon the two songs featured below, I couldn’t help but reminisce about those moments that I will cherish forever. This post is inspired by my childhood memories of winter activities with my grandparents, and I hope these songs inspire you too!
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Snowy Songs For Snowy Days
Here in New England, the weather has plummeted to single digits and every few days, a fresh blanket of snow covers the ground. I think it’s safe to say that winter is firmly upon us! For many, the most exciting days of the year have passed and now the doldrums of winter have begun. But once the snow starts to come down, it’s always a nice change of pace to brave the cold and play in the snow!
Of course, I always incorporate winter weather songs into my music therapy sessions and music classes during these snowy months. I like to prepare my clients and students for the upcoming changes they might see during the season, and nothing is more fun than pretending to catch snowflakes on your tongue or rolling a snowball with a bunch of four-year-olds.
Music Therapy: Applications for Communication
Over the last (almost) 12 years since becoming a music therapist, I’ve given countless presentations about my profession and work. I love educating people about the field of music therapy, and all of the ways in which I’ve been able to help people through music.
The more experience I’ve gotten doing these presentations, the more confident I’ve become — in fact, I rarely even get nervous anymore, even when speaking to large groups.
But I do have to admit: I’m still a little intimidated when it comes to presenting in front of professionals who work in other therapy fields.
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What I’m Loving Right Now
Happy New Year! We are just 3 days into 2019, but so far, I’m pretty enamored with it. This week has been the perfect mix of lazing around the house and making big plans for the new year, and in doing both, I’ve come up with a pretty sizable list of current favorite things.
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My Word for 2019
I heard on a podcast last week that the way you spend New Year’s Eve sets the tone for the new year. I loved that idea, and am applying it to my entire day — which started with my alarm going off at 5:30 am.
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A Very Rambach Christmas 2018
Merry Christmas! I hope you’ve had a wonderful holiday spent with friends and family, along with a little relaxation as well.
As for me, this holiday season has been a…memorable one. Over the years, I’ve had a knack for getting sick right before Christmas, and apparently, I have passed that on to my children.
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