Why we love musical therapy!

At Inspire Ability we're all about integrating creative activities into our therapy sessions and music is just one of the ways we do this. Music is a fantastic way for kids to express themselves while feeling respected, comfortable and working towards their individual therapy goals. In addition to all of this, musical engagement can be a stepping stone for readiness to learn an instrument, which is an amazing skill to have in life.

There are so many things you can do in a musical therapy session that the sky is the limit! Here are 10 activities that we enjoy doing for musical engagement. 

1. Jump on the trampoline while singing rhythmical and engaging songs
2. Play the piano (or even just bang or brush the keys), strum a guitar or play percussion.
3. Be flexible and creative in the ways you play music. For example we like to use an egg shaker on the keys on the piano from the top to the bottom, or strum the guitar with rhythm sticks.
4. Make up puppet musicals 
5. Sit around in a circle and play with different instruments including the hands, rhythm sicks, egg shakers and cymbals
6. Dance with the ribbon sticks making different types of movements (such a circular, vertical, horizontal) 
7. Row, row, row your boat with two people holding onto either side of a tambourine and facing each other 
8. Tell a story with music – a rainstick for the water, a bongo drum for footsteps or musical bells for a door bell ringing. You could make up the story or try to make music for a book your child loves.
9. Make an obstacle course with the foam mats, stepping stones, gym balls and then complete the course to music. When you play faster, move faster, when you play slower, move slower, if you stop, then stop moving around the course.  
10. Use the chalkboard to draw different patterns while you listen to music and sing songs such as “the wheels on the bus” – draw “round and round”, “up and down” 

FUN, FUN, FUN is KEY! Be creative and think about how you can incorporate the child's interests and goals in a fun and engaging musical therapy session.