Music

According to the American Music Therapy Association, “music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals for people of all ages and abilities within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional.”

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Download a pdf of the full Music Creative Expression Toolkit. You can also download individual sheets by clicking on each box.

Music Toolkit - STOP! GO!

Stop! Go! is an entertaining game for both young and old. Adding music, especially your favorite holiday carols, can make for an enjoyable game. Use this activity to promote movement and improve attentiveness. Switch it up and take turns being the DJ for a fun twist!

Music Toolkit - The Bunny Hop

This activity promotes physical strength and coordination while increasing attentiveness to auditory stimulation.

Music Toolkit - Springtime Soundscape

This activity promotes cognitive processing, autonomy and relaxing sounds for listening to springtime all year.

Music Toolkit - "Tiptoe Through the Tulips"

This activity promotes physical strength and coordination, while also implements cognitive task and self-expression through changes in the song.

Music Toolkit - Musical Scarves

This project utilizes a familiar melody in conjunction with scarves for sensory stimulation, to increase movement in upper extremities, and to provide opportunities for vocalization/ verbalization through singing and movement. It is a good activity for ages 18 months - 6 years.

Music Toolkit - Silly Songwriting: "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"

This project provides an opportunity for silly songwriting using common animals to promote engagement and encourage identification of animals and associated sounds. It is a good activity for ages 5 - 12 years.

Music Toolkit - "When You're Happy and You Know It"

This project provides an opportunity for control and choice in identifying and determining movements and actions through a familiar song It is a good activity for ages 2 - 7 years.

Music Toolkit - "Over the River and Through the Woods"

This project provides sensory stimulation through the use of the cabasa. The cabasa is rolled across the child’s arms and legs for tactile stimulation. The lyrics reflect the movement of the cabasa and body parts while also providing the opportunity for choice. This can also be used for distraction or relaxation. It is a good activity for children up to 10 years.

Music Toolkit - Breathing and Music

This is a relaxation activity to draw attention to breathing patterns to slow respiration/heart rate and decrease anxiety, pain, or agitation and to teach possible coping strategy to utilize when needed. It is a good activity for children of all ages.

Music Toolkit - Musical Bingo

This activity promotes cognitive processing, autonomy and relaxing sounds for listening to seasonal sounds all year.

For more information regarding the practice of music therapy, visit www.musictherapy.org/. Or contact Betsy Hawley at betsy@ppca.workhardpghserver.com

‍Note: Although the activities in this toolkit were created by a music therapist for the purpose of promoting active musical engagement among families and healthcare providers with regard for the palliative care patients they serve, these activities are not a substitute for music therapy. If you have any questions about these activities, please contact your child’s health care provider.

384 Fox Chapel Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238 | Contact Betsy Hawley at: betsy@ppcc-pa.org

PPCC is not a health care provider and does not give medical advice or treatment. PPCC does not endorse or recommend any listed facilities, service providers, or support groups herein. PPCC offers the list and information as a resource only. PPCC does not pre-evaluate, or consider the Medicare/Medicaid status of the providers.

The Pediatric Palliative Care Coalition is a registered 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization. Donations are tax-deductible according to the IRS’s rules and regulations. The official registration and financial information for PPCC may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free within Pennsylvania 1-800-732-0999.