Happy Fall! As we begin a new season, school is starting, leaves are falling, and I’m ready to share some of my favorite fall-theme intervention ideas with you.
Movement interventions are some of my favorite. Music paired with movement primes the brain and body to work together to move & groove.
September by Earth, Wind, & Fire is song with a strong steady beat to engage clients.
- Write down several 70s dance moves (i.e., the bump, the funky chicken, disco, the robot).
- Put them in a drum.
- Have a client pick one out the drum.
- Teach a modified version (whatever is safe & accessible).
- Have your client help teach it to the group (or practice individually in a session).
- Play the song and rock out!
Music therapy in a group setting provides a natural opportunity to practice social skills.
Changes by David Bowie is a great song to use in the fall, as leaves change color.
- Start with passing out various hand-held percussion instruments.
- Sing the chorus of Changes as written.
- Stop the chorus and then sing this altered verse – “Time to make a change. Pass your instrument to the left. What I play is changing. But I’ll still have fun”
- Repeat until clients have had a chance to play all or most instruments.
Enjoy the fall, embrace the changes, and enjoy intentional fall music-making!