We live in a sensory rich world. Everywhere we go, there are stimuli. As adults, we have the option to shape our lives to accommodate our sensory needs and preferences. Don’t like scratchy shirts? You probably wear soft clothes. Find strong smells calming? Maybe your house is full of richly scented candles.

Kids, on the other hand, tend to have fewer coping strategies and less control over their environment. And even if a child is in their “ideal” sensory environment, the unique ways brains process sensory information can make some kids more prone to overwhelm. But, kids are kids! Just like adults, kids going to experience some dysregulation, and that's okay and expected!

Sensory Songs is a video course that explores music as a supportive tool for sensory regulation. This course features an occupational therapist and two music therapists who walk you through concepts such as: sensory processing, regulation and modulation, sensory seeking and/or avoiding tendencies, and music strategies for regulation. In addition to 3+ hours of video and a Zoom office hour, you’ll receive 14 ready-to-use songs created specifically for sensory exploration.

This course will give you:

• Ideas and strategies from an OT and two MTs for incorporating musical and non-musical tools for sensory support

• 14 ready-to-use songs created for sensory exploration including chords/lyrics and some notated leadsheets & recordings

• Over 3 hours of video instruction

• A Zoom Q&A office hour for further discussion

• 5 pre-approved CMTE credits for MT-BCs (or a professional development certificate for educators and other professionals)

Prerequisites: None! This course is designed for music therapists, music educators and other professionals.

Credits: 5 credits pre-approved by the Certification Board of Music Therapists. Music educators and other professionals receive a certificate for 5 professional development credits.

Course Access: One year of video access. Music therapists pursuing continuing education credit (CMTE) credit must complete the course within 90 days of purchase.

Price: $74 (Course is $20 OFF through 4/19/22, no promo code needed.)

Instructor Qualifications:

Stephanie Leavell, MT-BC is the creator of Music for Kiddos. She’s an educator, board certified music therapist and award-winning songwriter who is passionate about using music to help kids succeed.

Laurie Appel, OTR/L is an occupational therapist and owner of the Lotus Tree Sensory Integration Center in Boise, ID. She has almost 30 years of experience as an OT and is a self-described “sensory kid”.

Kate Schnieder, MT-BC is a music therapist at the Lotus Tree Sensory Integration Center in Boise, ID. Her passion is to uncover a child’s unique way that they can connect with and respond to music.

Course Format: This course is a pre-recorded video course that can be taken in your own time. If this course is taken within the first couple of months of the release, you’re invited to attend our Zoom Q&A Office Hour on Thursday, May 5th at 8pm ET. If you’re unable to attend live, the video will be emailed out and the replay will also be included at the end of the course video playlist.

PART 1: Sensory Systems (1 hour, 39 minutes)

Stephanie Leavell joins occupational therapist Laurie Appel and music therapist Kate Schnieder as they walk us through sensory processing, the idea of seeking and avoiding tendencies, and their approach for multi-sensory experiences.

PART 2: Music Considerations (56 minutes)

Stephanie breaks apart the elements of music that can have a direct sensory impact and describes how she approaches music with a sensory lens.

PART 3: Sensory Songs (34 minutes)

Stephanie walks you through her original songs that were designed for this sensory-based approach. She’ll share leadsheets and implementation tips so these songs can be immediately useful in your work.

PART 4: ZOOM Q&A Office Hour (75 minutes)

(Pre-recorded)

Total course time: 264 minutes

Materials Included: Video course, PDF with course worksheets and resources, one Zoom office hour, course materials & song packet, and access to private Facebook group for community support.

Sensory Songs: Music Considerations for Regulation CMTE is approved by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) for 5 Continuing Music Therapy Education credits. Stephanie Leavell dba Music for Kiddos (Provider Number P-196) maintains responsibility for program quality, and adherence to CBMT policies and criteria.