December Holidays
Fun Christmas Music for Kids
Ahhh... holiday music. I'm a sucker for the classics. A remake rarely beats out the original recording. (Snoop Dogg Blue Christmas, anyone? Oy vey.)
When we were trimming the tree this week I started digging around for a playlist of cheerful holiday songs. So many of the classics (Let it Snow!) are love songs. Fine with me (I'm a sucker for those, too), but I can already imagine the protesting I'd get from the 1st - 3rd graders I work with. LOVE SONGS ARE EMBARRASSING when you're approximately 8 years old.
I didn't find the playlist I was looking for, so I made it. It's a medium-to-high energy playlist that captures the excitement of Christmas. It's perfect to play around the house, in a classroom, at a Christmas party, during that car ride to Grandma's house, etc.
(Read the full article HERE.)
Jingle, Jingle All The Way
Nutcracker Cup Game
ACT 1: MARCH by Tchaikovsky
This is a challenging activity for kindergarten and up! Much like the Pitch Perfect “Cup Song”, you can create a cup game with a group of kids to go along with this Nutcracker march. Great for sequencing, motor coordination, and group collaboration!
Holiday Lesson Plan
Get the chords/lyrics HERE.
Halloween
Monster Boogie
by Laurie Berkner
The way that you end this song has a big impact on its effectiveness. Consider adapting it to “the littlest monster that you’ve ever seen” and falling asleep at the end.
Chords/lyrics are part of the Monster Lesson Plan.
The Shy Little Monster
by Stephanie Leavell
A Halloween song about a Shy Little Monster who needs some encouragement from his friends. Not scary and a kid favorite for ages 0-6! Can be used with the book or without. Can be used with guitar or without.
For the chords/lyrics, click HERE.
Download the e-book HERE.
Download the notated leadsheet HERE.
Downloadable mp3 below!
10 Halloween Songs for Kids
by Stephanie Leavell
When Halloween comes around, the music therapist in me is always searching for songs that are engaging enough for a wide range of ages, have musical depth, and have lyrics that are challenging yet developmentally appropriate.
Read the full article HERE.
Monster Lesson Plan
Check out the chords/lyrics HERE.
Thanksgiving
I’ve Got So Much To Give
by Laurie Berkner
This is a great transitional song because it incorporates taking a deep breath and letting it multiple times. It’s great to help kids transition from a more active song to one that is less active and requires more of their attention. (The kids I work with KNOW that this song is coming if they’re too “bunny speed”.) Also wonderful for a Thanksgiving theme!
The lyrics are included in the Thanksgiving Lesson Plan.
Thanksgiving Lesson Plan
Get the chords/lyrics HERE.
Valentine’s Day
Kid-Friendly Valentine’s Day Songs
by Stephanie Leavell
I Can't Help Myself, I may as well embrace it and put a Little Love in my Heart. Here are some kid-friendly songs about L-O-V-E that aren't too mushy! (Read the full article HERE.)
Love Letter
This song and songwriting experience by Lydia Collins, MT-BC was shared by Jessica Zieche, MT-BC. This song can be adapted to be used year-round (not only for Valentine’s Day).
E (switch between E and E7)
_________ got a letter
I wonder who it's for?
A7
__________ got a letter
E (switch between E and E7)
I wonder who it's for?
B7 A7 E (switch between E and E7)
It's for someone who ___________________.
Snuggle Puppy (music book)
By Sandra Boynton
Get the large board book version HERE.
