Many studies continue to report the decline in mental health and the increase in social-emotional needs in our children. This data is only confirming what we’ve already experienced in real-life; what teachers and therapists like us have witness in our classrooms, therapy sessions and even, in our own children.
In some way or another, the pandemic has affected the lives and social-emotional wellness of our children. School closures, virtual learning, being isolated from peers, extracurricular activities coming to a halt, dealing with family members’ health concerns, loss or different work circumstances, among other lifestyle changes have contributed to the pandemic’s impact on children’s wellbeing.
Some of the ways we can address our children’s social-emotional needs as recommended in the Ed COVID-19 Handbook by the Department of Education include: building a trusting relationship with them, providing welcoming and safe learning environments, providing supportive feedback, collaborating and facilitating access to other school professionals (like counselors), engaging students in culturally relevant and inclusive learning experiences for all students, and teaching about self-regulation, emotional well-being and coping skills. As music therapists and music educators, we have an invaluable tool to support kids throughout all these changes and adjustments; a tool that can help them learn in a playful way. What is that tool? Of course, music.
Over the last few years, I’ve written, released and shared high-quality children’s songs that tap into the playfulness of what it means to be a child but that adults enjoy, too. With my music, I also hope for children to see themselves represented, feel loved, validated and heard.
I Need A Break: Expressive Songs For Kids
Specifically at the start of the pandemic, I was inspired to write a series of songs that I could share with everyone who works, parents, and loves children that would support kids in feeling validated and express the array of emotions that they might be experiencing and that surfaced as the result of their changing environment and circumstances.
These songs are compiled in my newest release “I Need A Break: Expressive Songs For Kids.”
The Songs
If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you might be familiar with some of these songs. These songs are some of the Music For Kiddos Community’s favorite songs for social-emotional learning, that I’ve also shared with many other educators and therapists in the midst of the pandemic on our various social media channels. Now that they have been professionally recorded and shared on streaming services, I hope that these songs can continue to support educators, therapist, anyone who works with kids and of course, children to process the sometimes big, uncomfortable and overwhelming emotions.
I Need A Break
“I Need A Break” was specifically written for kids who are feeling frustrated or angry and are having a hard time expressing their feelings. It was inspired by a memorable music therapy session I had over 10 years ago (TIME FLIES!) with a child who was profoundly upset and unable to self-regulate. What worked? Our 10-minute song where we were stomping around and I was saying what she so desperately wanted to say... "I.....AM...... MAD!!!!!!!" Here’s the full story.
It’s A Good Day
“It’s A Good Day” was written in 2020 (when virtual learning was in full swing) to help kids cope with social distancing. It's a cheerful, bright song that acknowledges HUGE changes kids have experienced while putting the focus on making the best of our days at home.
All I Want To Do
“All I Want To Do” was originally written to help kids process the different feelings and emotions that emerged during quarantine. It is a song that pairs feelings with movement to help kids with their big and complicated feelings about changes in their routine, at school, at home, a move, and all other challenging things they might be going through during this time.
Grizzly Bear Grump
“Grizzly Bear Grump” is a sensory-based movement song. It helps kids explore feelings of anger and frustration, and then it gives them specific sensory tools to help them self-regulate. It is a great song for kids to pretend to be "grumpy" or "mad" and to learn some things they can do to manage those feelings. The goal? Kids practice these strong feelings + sensory tools when they're feeling GOOD, and then they have concrete things to try when they're feeling BAD. Simple, but so incredibly powerful.
