Product Reviews Archives - Bear Paw Creek

Singing for Autism Shares Stretchy Band Movement Guide

Janet Stephens — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 18:15:00 +0000

Singing for Autism Shares Stretchy Band Movement Guide

Back in 2012 I stumbled across a blog written at by Singing for Autism. This website has since been taken down, so I am extra glad I shared what she wrote. This was the first blog post I had found that someone wrote about Bear Paw Creek’s stretchy band.

I was thrilled to see the picture (which is now gone) and read her review. Hope it gives you some more ideas what you can do with your clients or kids with the stretchy band!

Here are some of the key points she shares below:

Beat Competency (micro/macro beats)
Spacial Awareness
Teamwork
Socialization
Circle Dances

Stretchy Band

This week I want to share different instruments and props that I feel are must haves in the music classroom! The first is the stretchy band, a fun prop that will get the students and adults in the classroom participating.

There are 4 different sizes:

Personal: for 1 or 2 people
Medium: for 5 to 8 people
Large: for 8 to 11 people
Extra Large: for 11 to 14 people

You can use the stretchy band with songs, chants, or recorded music. Everyone holds on, I encourage two hands, and bounces the stretchy band to the beat. I place the paraprofessionals either near students who need help keeping the beat or evenly around the circle. The wonderful thing about the stretchy band is that students are forced to keep the steady beat, since it is very hard to go against the direction the band is going. For example, holding it down when everyone is lifting it up takes a lot of energy!

For the microbeat, we simply bounce the band on our lap. I hold my hands farther apart on the band so that my hands don’t tap my lap, only the band does.

For the macrobeat, we do a variety of movements:

Lift up over your head for one beat and down to your lap (or the floor) for the next
Reach in the circle for one beat and back to your lap for the next
Pull back like you’re rowing a boat for one beat and back to your lap for the next
Reach in the circle for one beat and back like you’re rowing for the next

I often switch between microbeats and macrobeats for each repetition of the song/chant. That gives you 8 repetitions! Then, sometimes I’ll have the students move their chairs back for more tension and we’ll do it again – easily 8 more repetitions! The stretchy band is a great way to introduce a new song or chant and is great for developing beat competency and spatial awareness. It also encourages teamwork and socialization.

Stretchy Band is a great way to introduce a new song/chant and for developing beat competency, spatial awareness, teamwork, socialization. Share on X

Circle Dances

You can also use the stretchy band when practicing circle dances. Have the students hold the band as they walk around the circle. It gives a visual cue for the students as they walk around the circle. Also, you can play around with shapes for a great spacial awareness activity. Have some students walk in, others walk out, some hold it high, and some hold it low.

I have both the medium and large stretchy bands and will be purchasing some personal ones this year so that I can work individually with the students. I use it with students of all ages. It is definitely a popular activity!

Click here to learn more about Bear Paw Creek’s stretchy bands.

Janet Stephens

Janet is the founder, designer, and one of the seamstresses behind Bear Paw Creek's made in the USA line of creative movement props, and bags. She is passionate about her faith, family, and loves the journey of learning and growing this life provides.

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Start Using Stretchy Bands for Creative Movement and Music Enrichment Today

Janet Stephens — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 12:52:15 +0000

Start Using Stretchy Bands for Creative Movement & Music Enrichment Today

Music therapists are in on the secret. They know how much fun it is to use stretchy bands for creative movement and music enrichment.

We all know that getting people to move can be a challenge. Do you need a tool to get your group moving and smiling?

Get in on the secret; use stretchy bands!

Stretchy Bands Add Value to Your Group Activities in Three Ways

They strengthen gross motor skills.

Gross motor movements are driven by the larger muscles in your body. Muscles work together with your nervous system, senses, and brain. We think of this as coordination.

These bands develop strength. The resistance builds muscle and improves coordination. Your body and mind work together to compensate for the pull of the stretch band.

If you’re using the bands to help kids develop their gross motor skills, make sure you don’t tell them all this! Because to them, stretchy bands are a fun way to get moving and if you make it sound too much like work, they may lose interest. Pile a bunch of stretchy bands in the middle of the room, keep the focus on fun, and you’ll see that they won’t take any convincing to dive right in and play with the bands!

They enrich music and dancing experiences.

Dancing can increase your awareness of the music through the motion of your body. It’s exhilarating, makes your blood pump, and it keeps you fit. Incorporating stretchy bands adds a fun tactile element to creative movement and music.

They sharpen social skills through community building.

When you have your group work with a shared stretchy band, they’ll feel and see the effect of their actions on others. Those who are stronger, learn to be gentle in their motions and prevent those beside them from being pulled and knocked down. Being physically linked helps everyone learn to be considerate as they take part in these group activities.

This benefit isn’t just for little kids either. Teens and adults can also have fun learning to work together using the stretchy bands as well. For any group, you can set up an obstacle course to move through while they hold on to the stretchy band as a team.

They encourage attentive listening.

In group activities with the stretchy band, because teamwork means everything, it encourages attentiveness. They feel satisfied when a task has been accomplished together. This reward is enough to encourage listening skills. When the kids form a star shape together with this tool, they enjoy the benefit of listening together.

Start Using Stretchy Bands for Creative Movement & Music Enrichment Today Share on X

The Connect-a-Stretchy Band system at Bear Paw Creek is Unique

It uses a buckle system to that the stretchy bands can be used straight or in a circle. As they come in six foot sections, this is also great for those that have different group sizes. Use exactly the sections you need for your group! It is also budget friendly, as you can buy what you need to start and add more later as needed.

This enables you to assemble the bands in all these ways:

One large circle.
A straight line.
In individual rings of varying sizes.

You may also buy a central hub for attaching them, like spokes on a wheel.

Lauren and Claire, at The Inspired Treehouse, have reviewed these bands. They recommend including stretchy bands in a Gross Motor Skills Kit for kids (nice to have on a rainy day, and a wonderful gift idea!).

But don’t forget that stretchy bands aren’t only for kids. All ages can enjoy them just as well:

At home (outside or in)
In class (work out the wiggles in little kids)
During youth group (for a versatile tool)
At any social event (for “ice breakers”)

Order some stretchy bands today and share the ways you’ve used them to add fun and movement to your group activities.

Janet Stephens

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Margie La Bella Reviews Bear Paw Creek’s Hoop Scarf Streamers and Scarves

Janet Stephens — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 13:00:00 +0000

Margie La Bella Reviews Bear Paw Creek's Hoop Scarf Streamers and Scarves

A few years ago Margie La Bella contacted me about her cd collection. Here is a little information about her:

Margie La Bella, a music therapist and educator, began her career with the clarinet at age 9. Soon after she discovered that she could play by ear and that she liked to sing- and sing harmony! She began composing and performing in her early teens. Music has always been a “bright light” in her life: a source of joy, expression, connection and healing. She chose music therapy as a profession because she has seen the power of music and wants to share that with others’ hearts and minds.

Margie completed her music therapy internship in 1987 and promptly established the music therapy program with the children at the Leeway School where she continues to work. She has since obtained a master’s degree in special education.

Her CD series Move!Sing! Play Along and Learn! is a collection of original participation-based songs and dances designed to spark the imagination, playfulness, and language learning (expressive, receptive, and auditory/listening) of children. It is available to parents, grandparents, teachers, special education centers, therapists, music/dance/gym instructors and all those who are young at heart.

You can read the rest of her story on the About The Artist page.

Recently I sent her some of our products to see if she had any song suggestions or activities she’d recommend. She went above and beyond and offered to make some videos including our products! Here is the link to the song featured in the video and make sure to check out her music that she offers in cd form and digitally.

Janet Stephens

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Joanne Lara of Autism Movement Therapy reviews Bear Paw Creek products

Janet Stephens — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 21:00:00 +0000

Joanne Lara of Autism Movement Therapy reviews Bear Paw Creek products

A few months ago I heard about Autism Movement Therapy and sent Joanne Lara our new connect-a-band and some streamers. I have been thrilled with her excitement and encouragement of our products.

Her story and journey is amazing and I love what she is doing. Here is just one testimony of many from her site that gives you a glimpse:

“Joanne Lara is a true expert in the field of autism. She has a remarkable knowledge, education and experience base from which she has developed and created Autism Movement Therapy as a new conceptual practice. This practice can assist children with autism by using movement to create both habit and brain chemistry changes. These important changes can assist children with help in reaching various milestones in their learning. I attended a workshop with her in Chicago, Illinois in March 2010 where I was able to see her fully engage young autistic students. Her rapport and professionalism with parents is also highly noteworthy. I highly recommend both Joanne Lara and Autism Movement Therapy.”
Bob Hudson, MA, M Ed
Intervention Specialist–Special Education & Gifted
K-1st Grade Autism & Multiple Exceptionalities
Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD)

She recently sent me some pictures and this review:

“Bear Paw Creek products are simply a must for every classroom teacher, service provider and anyone interested in making sensory development for our kids with special needs FUN!” Joanne Lara, Founder Autism Movement Therapy, Inc www.autismmovementtherapy.org

Janet Stephens

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Music Therapy Props Wrist Streamers Review by Linda Jedrzejek, MT-BC, NMT

Janet Stephens — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 21:00:00 +0000

Music Therapy Props Wrist Streamers Review by Linda Jedrzejek, MT-BC, NMT

I was so excited when Linda emailed me to say she was writing a blog post about our movement prop, rainbow wrist streamers.

The blog post surpassed my expectations, and the video? Bonus, bonus, bonus!

Rainbow Wrist Streamers

Read her full post on her website.

Never underestimate the power of wrist streamers! At the beginning of the school year, I purchased rainbow streamers on wrist scrunchies from Bear Paw Creek, LLC. They work wonderfully with individuals of all ability levels because of their design. Since they are elasticized, they will stay put on wrists and ankles, and also permit more independence.

Everything I have ever purchased from Janet at Bear Paw Creek, LLC, has been of exceptionally high quality and these streamers are no different. Clients have tried to pull the chiffon streamers off of the elasticized section, stretch them over their heads in attempt to make crowns and shake them as hard as they can. They still look good as new!

In our music therapy sessions, we use them to work on improving gross motor skills, sustaining movement, eye gaze, following directions, sensory regulation and creative expression. They can also be used to work on enhancing grip by placing the scrunchie part around an individual’s palm and having a staff member pull on the ribbon section, while moving to music. Take a look at the video here or below to see them in action:

Janet Stephens

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Artie Almedia Parachutes and Ribbons and Scarves Listening Lessons with Movement Props

Janet Stephens — Tue, 02 Jul 2013 13:02:09 +0000

Artie Almedia Parachutes and Ribbons and Scarves Listening Lessons with Movement Props

A few months ago I stumbled across this FANTASTIC video using our Stretchy Band, proudly made in America. As I watched, I literally had goosebumps and tears.

It is a humbling and awesome experience to see something you’ve created and sewn being used as featured below.

Nutcracker March With The Stretchy Band

Then, as I was stumbling about, I came across this blog post that showed that the activity is from Artie Almeida‘s book “Parachutes and Ribbons and Scarves, Oh My! Listening Lessons with Movement Props”

Excerpt from the blog:

As a young girl, I watched in wonderment when our family would attend a performance of "The Nutcracker Ballet." I absolutely loved the music, dancing, costumes, and scenery! And now... I get to teach it to my students! It has become one of my favorite units to teach.

This year, I focused on teaching the Nutcracker to second grade. After reading the story of the Nutcracker and talking about it's origins, we watched and listened to some of the most famous pieces, including the "March." The students got so excited when they recognized this piece:

WOWZA – that is HER in the video! Can you tell I was excited? As we come up on the Fourth of July, and all that stands for, I am encouraged by the creativity, resourcefulness, and entrepreneurial spirit that surrounds us all.

Janet Stephens

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Personal Stretchy Band, Balloon Ball, and Tone Chime Review

Janet Stephens — Thu, 30 May 2013 19:51:40 +0000

Vicki Gross from

I have the personal stretchy band, which I personally use for exercising.
I have the tone chime case, which totally lightens my load each day as I can decide if I am using an octave of 8 chimes, a pentatonic group, chords. It is nice to NOT pack arounc the big heave Suzuki case.
But LEAVING THE BEST TO LAST, I absolutely love the balloon ball. This is the handiest ball I have ever
had. I can just blow up a balloon, use the balloon ball in a group session, then deflate it and store it until my next group. It is not the big, bulky ball that I used to take along. I don’t have to worry if someone misses a pass or catch that they will get a ball on the head or face or whatever. With the balloon ball, it is a light bounce. It takes the fear from the playing ball, especially in my elderly groups. I use the ball for self-control: Pass the balloon ball only on a specific word in a song, such as, “She’ll Be Comin’ Around The Mountain” or “Take Me Out To The Ball Game.” Pass the ball to ……………… for peer recognition, social interaction, memory skill, etc.

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Boom Tote

Janet Stephens — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 21:59:19 +0000

Check out Michelle Erfurt’s blog post on the Boom Tote!

http://musictherapytween.com/2012/09/boom-tote-2-0.html

AND check out Kat Fulton‘s new video review on it!

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Q Chord Gig Bag Video Review By Kat Fulton of Music Therapy Ed

Janet Stephens — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 16:43:56 +0000

Thanks so much to Kat Fulton for this great review of the Q Chord Gig Bag!

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