Thanks so much for watching my video and heading over to Listen & Learn Music! I’m excited to share “The Toolbox Song” with you because it truly is one of the most effective tools in my musical toolbox (pun totally intended).
My students and clients request this song time and time again, and I am always happy to oblige, because it allows me to work on so many goals at the same time.
To receive the mp3, instrumental track, lyrics/chords and facilitation guide, simply enter your first name and email address below. Then I’ll deliver the download link to your inbox.
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.
Shaking Up Goals (and Achieving Them!) 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!
{GGB 63} Meet My Co-Host: Jaime Lawrence
In case you haven’t listened to my most recent episodes of the Guitars & Granola Bars podcast, here’s my big news: I have a new co-host!
Jaime Lawrence, a fellow music therapist and mama of 3 from Jackson, Michigan, has officially joined me on the podcast, and I’m so excited to introduce her to you.
Using the Ocean Drum in Music Therapy
Hi everyone! My name is Cacia King, and I’m going to be writing to you every week about all the goal-based songs available to you through Listen & Learn Music. I’ve been a member of Listen & Learn Plus for over 2 years, and now as a part of the Listen & Learn team, I’m so excited that I’ll get to share how I use these awesome resources regularly in my therapy sessions.
Here’s all you need to know about me: I’ve been a board-certified music therapist for three years, I am from New Hampshire, and I love to sing, tap dance, and drink iced coffee.
I work with children who have special needs, and love being silly and making music every day with all my kiddos. I hope that I can inspire you to try new songs and adapt them to meet the unique needs of the children with whom you work!
Ok, so now onto the good stuff. What song am I really into this week? Well, summer is here to stay, which means it’s time for beach days and splashing in the pool. And what better way to get into the summer spirit than by playing the ocean drum?
It’s Baaaack: A New Season of the Guitars & Granola Bars Podcast!
When I came up with the idea for the Guitars & Granola Bars podcast (in the shower, where all my good ideas manifest) back in December 2014, I couldn’t wait to make it happen. No matter that I was 5 months pregnant and already running 2 businesses — I had a goal.
The podcast launched just a few weeks later in January 2015, and I was off to the races. For that first year, I faithfully released a new episode every single Friday…including the week my daughter was born. I kept up this pace until I couldn’t anymore, and started making changes in my life for my own mental and emotional health.
Unfortunately, it was Guitars & Granola Bars that took a backseat to my other work priorities, though I always intended to come back to the podcast when I was ready. There were a couple times when I tried to make another go of it, but it wasn’t meant to be. Until now.
Pass the Rainstick Round and Round
The rainstick is one of those instruments I don’t bring out often, but when I do, it’s always a hit. We’ve been playing them in our Listen & Learn classes this past month, which means my “Rainstick Round” song has been put to good use.
“Banana, Ooh Na Na” {Kid-Friendly Adaptation of “Havana” by Camila Cabello}
Last month when I was brainstorming new songs to write for my early childhood music classes, I had the idea to adapt the song “Havana” to use with fruit shakers. I couldn’t stop singing the original version, so I figured it would make a catchy and effective song for my students…and so far, that has been the case! I introduced “Banana, Ooh Na Na” a few weeks ago in our early childhood and preschool classes, and have also been using it in some of my music therapy sessions. It gets plenty of play at home, too, since my own children request it nearly every day. read more…
{Song Video} Polar Bear
Tap-tap-clap, tap-tap-clap…that’s the body rhythm pattern that accompanies the verses of this catchy winter song. We change things up during the chorus, rubbing our hands together to create that swishy swimming sound as the polar bear glides through the sea.
12 Goal-Based Winter Songs for Children
Nonetheless, winter is a very real thing here in the Midwest, and for some reason, seems to last longer than any other season. So all of my winter songs get LOTS of use in my classes, groups, and music therapy sessions.
I know I’m not the only one in this boat, which is exactly why I decided to bundle up my favorites into one nice little package. Although all of the songs are based around the theme of winter, they also address a variety of goals, objectives, and skills.
Just a few include simple sign language, counting, speech goals, instrument play, academic concepts, body part identification, sequencing, and gross motor movement.
I dubbed this Winter Song Week, because all week long, I’ve shared a video featuring one of the songs from the pack. You can learn more about them as well as listen in the videos below!
While winter definitely is not my favorite topic, singing about it is much better than complaining ;) Oh, and if you live in a place where ice and snow isn’t an issue, consider me a tad bit jealous!
{23 Days of Gratitude} Day 21 – You!
When I purchased the domain name for Listen & Learn Music a little over 9 years ago, I never imagined this would become a place that would help me connect with hundreds of music therapists, teachers, and parents across the country. Every time I attend AMTA national conference, it’s especially apparent just how many friends I’ve made through this tiny corner of the internet.