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Songs, Activities, Tips and Tricks you can use!
New Year, New Room
Okay, so it's not completely a brand new room as it has always been there, but we never used it for what it could be. In our basement we have a room, albeit small, but it has some great useable space. Our original intent, pre-child, was a space for the workout...
Rebuild, Renew, Rejoice
Professionally and Personally, 2011 was a year of exactly what I had described in the title above; Rebuilding, Renewal and Rejoicing. Right from the get go, I knew that 2011 was going to be a great year as I had just recently conquered and won a tough battle with...
These are a few of my favorite tunes… (for the holidays)
Yes, I love the holiday season. Winter, lights, music and holiday cheer just make the spirit infectious and I am glad to jump on board the celebration train. With Christmas just around the corner, here are some of my favorite tunes and albums for the holiday season...
What do YOU do on a Sleigh Ride?
Finding creative movement activities for my K-4 population is always fun and exciting! It is especially fun during the holidays with the many musical choices available for adaptation, both instrumental and vocal. This month I took an instrumental version of Sleigh...
3 Tips for Success in an ECE Holiday Performance
My job is awesome. Being a Music Therapist with Early Childhood means that I can forever be goofy and silly and it all has a purpose. Tonight, my job gets even better, as I get to take the children that I get the pleasure of working with on a weekly basis, and...
Top Ten Highlights of #AMTA11 (Part 2)
First off, let me apologize. That first post, had it continued, would have been way too long for any of you to handle. So here, part two in the "Top Ten Highlights of #AMTA11". For Part 1, go Here! (Thanks for the idea to offer several posts, Natalie Mullis). ...
Top Ten Highlights of #AMTA11 (Part 1)
Wow! That is the one word I can use describe all that has happened in the last week. Around 10am last week, my adventure with #AMTA11 started. Each year, around this time I make what I consider the "pilgrimage" to the American Music Therapy Association National...
Listen Up!
Greetings Readers! I am so excited to share with you one of the wonderful things happening in the VERY NEAR FUTURE! We will be guests on "The Music Therapy Show with Janice Harris". Janice Harris is a Music Therapist from Dallas, TX and has been hosting the "Music...
Introducing… Jerry!
It's fall here in Central Illinois! The leaves are falling, the wind is blowing and those pesky crows are picking at the corn and seeds. Enter Jerry, a fantastically wonderful scarecrow, except for one pesky problem... (it rhymes with "a shoe"). This song started as...
Free Holiday Goodies!
It's free and it's fabulous and it is for anyone working with children: parents, therapists, teachers... ANYONE! If you haven't had the opportunity to visit We Teach, I suggest you visit and become a member, right now! Yes, I'm talking to you! This is a wonderful...
A Mini-Tour… in the Blogosphere
You may have noticed that things around here have slowed down a bit (ie. my posts are less frequent than originally intended). Truth? I am planning some changes to the Developing Melodies website and a lot of my energy has been focused on that. However, I have also...
Tell me about YOU!
Good Reads (September 2011)
It has been quite a busy month (so much so that this post is landing in October. Sorry). Between starting several new contracts, renewing some older ones and dealing with the fact that I now have to put my child in daycare for five days a week, it has me doing very...
Not All Change is Bad
Today's post is brought to you by a person who is full of hope, knowledge and love for his students. I say this not just because he is my husband, but because it is the truth. Michael Brown, or Developing Dad, is an elementary school music teacher in the Fieldcrest...
He Did-it-id-it-id-it-id-it (For Free)
A few weeks ago Rachel, over at Listen & Learn, posted about a Free Snack Pack. At first I was thinking food (it happens when I read during lunchtime) but then I clicked over and found my new go-to guy. It has taken me a couple of busy weeks, but I am finally...
Time to Play!
Play: |'plâ|- n. the sponteneous activity of children (and adults) Play is important in both the life of a child and that of an adult. Play is a foundation of creative thought, imagination and teamwork. Tomorrow, September 24, 2011 happens to be the Worldwide Day of...
Themes: What are they good for?
Question: How do you plan for over 200 individuals in a single setting (different classrooms) without loosing your cool? Answer: Themes! Believe it or not, almost every center, school, facility and even family has some sort of theme. I work in several school-type...
The Big Blue Elephant in the Room
Last week, Music Sparks sent out this invitation. At first, I was super excited, and all of these ideas popped into my head. However, as the week went on I became increasingly distracted with the "big BLUE elephant in the room". The elephant, being September 11, 2011,...