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!
Celebrating the Little Victories
When I was working on my undergraduate degree, one of my music therapy supervisors said something to the effect of “We’ve got to celebrate the little victories, and sometimes it takes a long time to achieve them”. As a young music therapy student, I thought I understood what my supervisor meant, but looking back, I realize I didn’t completely get it.
{GGB 76} All Things Halloween!
Halloween is coming, and we are ready! So of course we had to dedicate an entire episode to how we celebrate this special day at home — including decorations, our family’s costumes, and favorite traditions — and at work — the songs we sing, how we integrate Halloween into our groups and sessions, and ways we get festive in our workplaces.
Let’s Get Visual, Visual (Aides!)
Visual aides are an essential part of my music therapy practice, and I use them every day. I wouldn’t have believed you if you had told me five years ago that I would spend my nights with my laminator (yes, of course I have my own laminator) making endless visual aides, but I would seriously be lost without them!
{GGB 75} Our Favorite Working Mom Hacks
This week, Jaime and I are sharing our favorite working mom “hacks” — big and little ways in which we’ve discovered make life just a little bit easier, both in terms of work and home.
We actually ran out of time recording this episode, and have already planned a part 2 so that we can give you the rest of our hacks. In the meantime, we hope you find these just as helpful to your life as they are to ours!
Setting Children Up for Success
Making music with young children is so much fun, and incredibly beneficial to their growth and development, but it’s not always smooth sailing in music therapy sessions or music classes.
Sometimes kiddos don’t follow the directions or participate appropriately, so it’s important to make sure that each child participating in music therapy sessions or music classes is set up for success so that he or she can reap the benefits of all we have to offer.
These Halloween Songs are Spookily Effective!
One of the best things about fall is all of the fun holidays, and is there anything better than the spookiness of Halloween? I love hearing my clients’ and students’ excitement as they tell me about their costumes and listen to best impressions of what a ghost sounds like; their anticipation makes this time of the year even sweeter.
Don’t Forget About Point A
Yesterday as I was cleaning out my Google Drive, I came across some notes I had written back in 2010. I had titled the document “Point A to Point B”, and it was all about where I was in my career currently and where I wanted to end up eventually.
More Than Just Greeting Songs
One of the very first things music therapy students learn when preparing for practicum experiences and internships is a greeting song and a goodbye song. Learning those staple songs seems like an easy task, but it’s much more complex than it sounds.
{GGB 74} How We Do Early Childhood Classes
As we approach the fall season, Jaime and I are both busy preparing for new sessions of our early childhood music classes. Since this topic is top of mind for us right now, we thought we’d take this opportunity to do a deep dive into our role as early childhood music class instructors.
{10 Years of L&L} Upleveling in Year 11
After 10 days of looking back on the history of Listen & Learn Music, I couldn’t end this party without a little talk about the future around here. We’re officially into Year 11, and its off to the best possible start.