by Jody | Animals, Session Plans
Music therapy is a form of therapy that uses music to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. Music possesses the power to convey emotions, stimulate memories, and improve quality of life. Incorporating songs about elephants into music therapy sessions can enhance the effectiveness of the therapy by creating a connection with nature and the environment.
Music Therapy Techniques
Lyric Analysis
Several techniques can be used in music therapy sessions that incorporate songs about elephants. One technique that can be used is lyric analysis. This technique involves analyzing the words and messages conveyed in the lyrics of a song to identify feelings and attitudes towards elephants. The therapy session can then focus on identifying and discussing emotions and experiences associated with these feelings.
Using Drums
Another therapy technique that could incorporate songs about elephants involves using a drum circle. Drum circles are activities in which people come together to play percussion instruments in a group setting. Adding animal sounds, such as elephant trumpets, into the drum circle can create a connection to the animal and nature. This can help individuals to feel a sense of belonging and connection to the environment.
Suggested Elephant Songs
1. “Elephant” by Tame Impala
2. “Elephant Stone” by The Stone Roses
3. “Dumbo” by The Pixies
4. “When I See an Elephant Fly” by Cliff Edwards, Hall Johnson Choir, and Jim Carmichael
5. “No Longer An Elephant” by music Frank Churchill and lyrics by Ned Washington from Dumbo movie
6. “Elephant Woman” by Blonde Redhead
7. “Elephant Parade” by Ella Jenkins
8. “Elephant Days” by Tim Finn
9. “Elephant Walk” by The Melodians
10. “Baby Elephant Walk” by The Skatalites
11. “Baby Mine” music by Frank Churchill and lyrics by Ned Washington from Dumbo movie
12. Elephant Love Medley” from the move Moulin Rouge
13. “Nellie the Elephant” by Mandy Miller (1956)
Books About Elephants
Books about elephants offer a wealth of knowledge and insight into these magnificent creatures. Incorporating them into music therapy can add more depth and texture to music therapy sessions. Whether exploring their behavior, habitat, or simply admiring their grace and intelligence, these books provide a comprehensive look at one of Earth’s most fascinating animals. From memoirs and biographies to scientific investigations, the range of material available allows readers to deepen their understanding of elephants and their importance to our world. With their unique and complex social structures, elephants are both beloved and misunderstood, making these books a valuable addition to any library. For those seeking a deeper appreciation of these incredible creatures, the books about elephants offer an unparalleled opportunity for learning and discovery.
There are many children’s books that feature elephants as the main characters. Here are some examples:
1. “Elephant and Piggie” series by Mo Willems
2. “Elmer” series by David McKee
3. “The Story of Babar” by Jean de Brunhoff
4. “The Elephant’s Child” by Rudyard Kipling
5. “The Saggy Baggy Elephant” by Kathryn and Byron Jackson
6. “One Elephant Went Out to Play” by Sanja Rescek
7. “How the Elephant Got His Trunk” by Anna Milbourne
8. “Little Elephant” by Émile Jadoul
9. “Ellie” by Mike Wu
10. “The Elephant Whisperer” by Lawrence Anthony (based on a true story)
In conclusion, incorporating songs about elephants into music therapy sessions can be an effective technique to improve an individual’s emotional, cognitive, and physical well-being. Utilizing a variety of therapy techniques such as lyric analysis and drum circles can help to create a connection with the environment, promote emotional expression, and foster social interaction. Music therapy is a powerful tool in addressing a range of needs and can be an ideal way to integrate and experience the positive effects of music and nature.
Check out our Elephant Guitten available!
Or, buy the Elephant Guitten Pattern
References
This post was partly written with the assistance of AI.
by Jody | Hula Hooping, Session Plans
Song Suggestions:
“Beauty and the Beast” by Jordin Sparks
“Cupid Shuffle” by Cupid
“Fly to Your Heart” by Selena Gomez
“Ike La Ladana” by George Winston
| Length: 1.5 hours |
Age of Group:: Adults |
| Materials:
• 10 hoops and 5 hoops ready for sale |
Objectives – Student will be:
• Introduced to the concept of hooping
• Find small successes that they CAN hoop!
Objectives – Moves Covered:
• Basic waist hooping, Saving the Hoop
• Hip hooping
• Turning and walking |
| New Terminology:
• Hooping/hula hooping
• Current
• Basic Breaks
• T-Rex Hands
• Turning |
Energy Focus:
• Playful
• Build confidence through identifying small successes
• Make connections
• Casual and comfortable |
| Time Line |
Introduction
Warm-ups, stretching, introduction to each other |
| 15 minutes |
• Greet students at the door. Have them sign the waiver, fill out the sign-up sheet, make any payments needed and them direct them to sit down for the opening demonstration.
• Introduce myself to the class and share my hoop story.
• 3-5 minute hoop dance performance and demo to music to inspire.
• Recap my story to stress that anyone can learn to hoop.
• Introduce the history of how hoop dance began. Explain and demo the difference between kids hoops and these hoops, and why they help.
• Opening Circle: Play the Prop Toss Name Game – Go around the room and have everyone share their name and small bit of info about themselves.
• Icebreaker Activity: After all names introduced, give the group a small ball to roll back and forth. Whoever has the prop must say the name of someone in the group and then pass it to them…until everyone has a turn. This gives them a chance to solidify everyone’s name in the group in their minds. |
|
15 minutes
|
Warm-Ups
• Bean Bag Toss – Skills developed: gradually challenging and have fun!
• Materials: a medium sized hula hoop and bean bags
• The group stands at one end of the room.
• A hula hoop is on the floor in front of the group about 5 feet to start.
• Have them each throw 3-5 beanbags.
• Push the hula hoop farther away for each round, gradually making the game more challenging.
|
| 5 minutes |
Stretching
• In the background, play, “Beauty and the Beast” by Jordin Sparks.
• Standing: Rolling the shoulders, arm stretches across front and over the head, neck rolls, side stretch to each side by leaning over at the waist and reaching the opposite arm over your head. Circling the ankles, touching the toes, and then a lunge to stretch the calves.
• Shake the body out and make a silly noise! |
|
30 minutes |
Body
• Introduce what will be covered in class, giving a short demo of the moves planned.
• Waist Hooping – Have them practice both currents. Finding out which one feels more comfortable. Maintaining and saving the hoop. Invite them to drop the hoop and then try to save it.
• Hip Hooping – Focus on rotating the pelvic region.
• Walking – Have them walk around the room in a circle.
• Dipping the Hands into the Hoop – While still walking in the circle, say, “Take a look at our hands!” Most people will be in a T-Rex mode. Mention the term and ask them to raise their arms, move them in space and explore moving their wrists. Then demonstrate how to dip into the hoop.
• Turning: Same direction and Stalls.
• Basic Breaks and Reversals on the body.
• Playing Catch-Use a bouncy ball and have students waist hoop and move freely around the room focusing on throwing and catching the ball between each other. |
| 10 minutes |
Break
Time for snacks, water, bathroom breaks and chatting. Take hoop orders during this time. |
| 5 minutes |
After Break Hoop Jam
Play: “Cupid Shuffle” by Cupid, to bring up the energy after the break. Song has directions to the left and right, turning, kicking and walking with the hoop. |
| 15 minutes |
Closure
• Review moves covered
• Review new definitions
• Open the floor for questions
• Go around the circle and ask each student to describe their experience with one word.
|
| 5 minutes |
Closing Hoop Jam
• Play: “Fly to Your Heart” by Selena Gomez. This song is positive, encouraging, but not too upbeat.
• Hoop along with the moves students were taught. |
| 5 minutes |
Cool Down
• Play: “Ike La Ladana” by George Winston
• Standing: Front thigh stretch by holding the foot, lunges to the front to stretch the calves and lunges to the side. Side stretch to each side by leaning over the waist and reaching the opposite arm over head. Neck rolls, rolling shoulders, and arm stretches across the front and behind the head.
• Sitting: Touching the toes, butterfly sitting, back twist, hip opener.
• Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise if time permits.
• Closing Circle: Thank everyone for participating and mention that each of them is on their way into their own hoop dance journey. Hand out the trick breakdown sheets for this week and dismiss class. Tie up loose ends as people pack up, collecting any remaining payments, taking hoop orders, etc.
• Provide each student with a Progress Chart Handout or email it now that you have everyone’s email:) |
by Jody | Session Plans
Coloring books have always been popular with kids, but over the years adults have become
more and more involved with coloring. Adult coloring is a huge trend now. But, did you know
that coloring books for adults started in 1970? Many are finding that it is not only fun, but also
a great way to reduce stress.
Sing:
Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree
By the Light of the Silvery Moon By Doris Day (1953)
Song ID:
Bad Bad Leroy Brown
Follow the Yellow Brick Road
Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White
Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini
Who was known as the Man in Black (Johnny Cash)
Orange Blossom Special by Johnny Cash
Silver Threads and Golden Needles by Springfields (1962)
Discussion:
Why does coloring reduce stress?
The trend to color these days comes from the need to have a creative ritual to distract from
daily stress and electronic overload. Like yoga or origami, coloring is a physical activity that is
meditative. Sometimes it’s good to take a break and just focus on one thing in the moment.
Movement: Direct slow movements to rhythm of song, Pink Panther Theme Song by Henry
Mancini (1963)
Sing the Blues:
Blue Bayou by Linda Ronstadt
Blue Moon by Elvis
Lavender Blue Dilly Dilly
My Blue Heaven by Fats Domino (1953)
Blue Suede Shoes by Elvis
Blueberry Hill by Fats Domino
Facts:
First coloring book aimed at adults was published by Dover Publishing, Inc., and their
first coloring book came out in 1970, “Antique Automobiles.” Other coloring books for adults
continued to be published, “American Wild Flowers,” “The Illuminated Alphabet,” and “Stained
Glass Windows,” “North American Indian Designs.” Most of these are still in print today by
Dover Publishing!
by Jody | Session Plans
Materials:
Old fashioned baby dolls (Matryoshka, paper dolls, tea set, etc)
Goals:
Socio-emotional support, engaging the senses, decrease sense of isolation
Intro:
Hello My Baby
There is a special relationship between a child and a doll.
Fact Tidbits:
March 9th, 1959 is the Anniversary of the Barbie Doll. She made her debut at
the American International Toy Fair in New York on this day in 1959.
In Japan, families and communities hold Hina-matsuri, or the Doll Festival, on March 3 every
year to wish good health and future happiness for girls. It’s centered around decorated dolls
and eating good food with family.
Discussion:
Have you ever had a hand-made doll? Hand-made doll clothes?
Sing: Put on Your Old Gray Bonnet
Coat of Many Colors by Dolly Parton
Types of Dolls:
There are so many different kinds of dolls. (Share your examples between the songs.)
Russian Doll: The Matryoshka, is a set of wooden dolls of decreasing size placed one inside
another. The name means, “little matron.”
Dutch Dolls: Or peg wooden dolls, these dolls were from the Netherlands and Germany.
They were sold undressed. Children would then make their clothing from scraps of fabric.
Native American Doll: Corn husk dolls are made out of dried leaves or husk of a corncob.
Traditionally, they don’t have a face.
With the Industrial Era, porcelain dolls and china dolls.
Songs:
I Found a Million Dollar Baby
Pretty Baby
You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby
Dance With a Dolly
Lullaby of Birdland
Baby, It’s Cold Outside Performed by Lady Antebellum
Satin Doll by Duke Ellington
Yes Sir, That’s My Baby by G. Kahn and W. Donaldson
Dungaree Doll by Eddie Fischer
Discussion:
Popular dolls over the decades.
Barbie was introduced in 1959. She was much different than the previous dolls. She was
created by Ruth Handler, who named her after her daughter Barbara.
The Sindy doll was the UK’s version of Barbie. She was a companion girl next door.
The Tiny Tears Doll was created in 1977. She could cry and wet her diaper by squeezing her
stomach.
The Cabbage Patch Kids Dolls were popular in the 1980’s. They came with adoption papers.
Each one is hand-stitched. They are made of a soft-sculptured fabric. No two are alike. The
original Cabbage Patch Kids Dolls were made in Cleveland, Georgia.
Songs Sung to Baby: I Love You Truly, That’s an Irish Lullaby, The Missouri Waltz, Tell Me
Why?, Hush, Little Baby, Brahm’s Lullaby, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, Rock-a-Bye Baby, Baby
Mine, Are You Sleeping, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral, Amazing
Grace, Michael Row the Boat Ashore
Activities with Baby:
Having a tea party, Song: Tea for Two
Playing paper dolls (Have example of paper dolls) (See resource at bottom.)
Paper Dolls: During early wartime, paper dolls marched out with flag-waving fervor to
become a favorite wartime plaything. Movies entertained on the home front and stars became
symbols of the wholesome pin-up girl next door, ideal subjects for paper doll fame.
Song: Paper Doll by Mills Brothers
Fact Tidbit:
Did you know there is a Doll Doctor’s Association? It’s a social club created for doll repair
specialists, doll enthusiasts and collectors who are eager to share and learn about doll repair,
restoration, and conservation. In MN, it’s Betty’s Handmade Doll Clothes in Richfield, MN. You
can find a Doll Doctor closest to you at this link:
http://www.dolldoctorsassociation.com/hospital-locator
Resources
http://paperstudiopress.com/
http://www.purplekittyyarns.com/paper-dolls/movie-star
http://www.comicbook-collecting.com/Comics-B/Barbie-and-Ken.php
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matryoshka_doll
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matryoshka_doll#/media/File:Russian-Matroshka.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peg_wooden_doll#/media/File:Gliederpuppe.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doll#/media/File:Corn_husk_doll.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doll#/media/File:Barbie_1959_First_Editions_dolls.jpg
http://www.dolldoctorsassociation.com/
http://www.juniormagazine.co.uk/toys-and-games/dolls-through-the-decades/12292-
7.html#historysub
http://www.cabbagepatchkids.com/
Songbooks
Festival of Popular Songs by Reader’s Digest
by Jody | Session Plans
Background music: Rodeo Roundup by Henry “Buzz” Glass & Jack Capon
Intro:
The American Cowboy is known all over the world as a symbol of America. The cowboy life might not have been quite as glamorous as the silver screen portrayed it, yet most of the men and women who lived their lives as cowboys or cowgirls wouldn’t have traded it for any big city job available to them at the time.
Discuss: Cowboy/Western clothing
Sing: She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain
My Hat it Has 3 Corners
Jingle Jangle Jingle
Dancing: Tennessee Waltz
Buffalo Gals
Ribbons as Lassos
Recording of: Yippi-Yi Your Troubles Away by Sons of the Pioneers
Yodeling Song: I Want to Be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart
Sing: Red River Valley, Yellow Rose of Texas
Stretchy Band: Little Red Wagon (I’m up and down, Lean L n R, Lean back, Go uphill, go fast, go slow)
Action Song: Mother Gooney Bird (Father Cowboy had 7 Cows version)
If You’re Happy, You’re a Cowboy
Closing: Happy Trails
Resources:
http://www.greatamericancountry.com/living/lifestyles/top-20-songs-about-cowboys-and-cowgirls
