Music Therapy and Movement Props
For our long time customers you know that Bear Paw Creek got started all because of Music Therapy.
You can read about it on our About Us page, but here is a synopsis.
With a passion to create an income from home and inspired by my sister, Kathy Schumacher, MT-BC, a traveling music therapist, we (Christopher and Janet Stephens) opened Props & Bags, Etc in January 2000. I meshed my love of sewing with the creation of a unique line of movement props along with solutions for organizing and transporting them.
Today I have three special links to share all about Music Therapy!
Movement Props In Practice by Music Therapy Connections
I was thrilled last month when Rachel Rambach sent me an email telling me about her and Katie Kamerad’s latest CMTE course, based all around Bear Paw Creek movement props: bean bags, stretchy band, balloon ball, scarves, and wrist jingles. Here is what they say about it:
Movement props are an essential part of our music therapy toolbox.
“We love them because they are incredibly versatile: most of our props can be used with a variety of populations, from our early childhood classes, to individual music therapy sessions, to our older adult groups.In these settings, we use movement props to address a multitude of goals and objectives — in many cases, within one single song.
We’ve written a collection of songs specifically for use with movement props, and in this course, we’re sharing them with you.Not only that, but we’re showing you exactly how we implement these songs and use movement props in practice through footage from our classes and sessions.
The tools and techniques provided in this course will give you a solid foundation for incorporating movement props (and our adaptable song collection!) in your own practice.”
Click on the image to learn more! Even if you don’t require the CMTE credits, it’s worth the investment to get access to their songs and intervention ideas! AND this course is part of our biggest back to school sale this month! Six days left to enter (Winner will be drawn 8-29-18.)
The tools and techniques provided in this course will give you a
solid foundation for incorporating movement props (and our adaptable
song collection!) in your own practice. Share on X
What is Music Therapy?
This is one of those questions that receives many answers. There has been an interesting documentary just released to the public that goes about answering this question. It showcases the history, research, different interventions, literacy, eldercare, movement, and much more. I hope you’ll take the time to check it out.
I also came across an interesting research article based in the UK all about “How Music Helps with Mental Health – Mind Boosting Benefits of Music Therapy”.
They answer the question as follows:
Music therapy is classed as a form of expressive therapy that works to improve physical and mental health through the expression of emotions. There are two forms of music therapy, and these are called active and receptive. In the former, you will create music with your therapist or group (depending on the type of therapy you have sought).
This helps you to deal with emotions, alleviate stress, and can even relieve the symptoms of conditions like Alzheimer’s (something we will look at later). Receptive music therapy, on the other hand, is where you listen to music while you draw or partake in other relaxing activities.
In short, music therapy tends to consist of three potential activities: playing music, singing, or listening to music. You can either create your own music or learn to play specific pieces that you will practice and develop over time – it depends on your personal preferences. You also have plenty of choices, as you can decide what kind of music therapy you take as well as the type of music that you play.
The author continues on with six more specific parts discussing music therapy and it’s uses. Click on the image below to head to the full article.
Leave a comment with how YOU answer the question!
Excellent blog post!
I’m going to take the time to watch that documentary, so glad you shared it!
Also, how exciting to have a course created around these great movement props (and for music therapists to be able to receive credit for using the course!)
This is a great way to start my morning!