Breaking Conversation Habits with Songwriting

Music, Older Adults

It is easy to get into habits in conversation. P1 – “How are you?” P2 – “I’m fine.” Let’s be truthful, how often do you respond that the day is challenging? I see this habit continuing in many who participate in my...

Q and A with music?

Intergenerational, Music Therapy, Older Adults, Preschool, Theme

Questions are powerful. They can be great for spurring conversation, gathering details, or letting people know we are interested in them.  Questions are so powerful, books are written about them. There is much written concern how to ask  a question and determining the...

Spread a little kindness

Music, Older Adults, Resources

Sunday, November 13th is World Kindness Day. Random acts of kindness are wonderful every day. Sometimes kindness is tangible like providing food or shelter. Other times it is being present, holding a hand. Kindness can be shown in many ways making it a great topic for...

Musical Laugh for April Fool’s

Music, Music Therapy, Resources

The other day I asked on Facebook about favorite silly songs.  Rachelle Norman shared a post on “Mairzy Doats”.  This is a great song for many reasons: it appeals many ages, it is great for speech practice, and it is easy to sing. I have used this with...

Song stories

Music, Music Therapy, Older Adults

This week, at the request of a resident,  I learned an old hymn in public domain “Let the Lower Lights Keep Burning”.  The imagery of the hymn is very foreign to the plains of Kansas yet is well depicted in the lyrics.  The person making the request...