Happy back to school time! I hope adjusting to the new school year is going well. In my experience, when clients come back to music therapy after a break (whether it be summer, winter, or even spring break) it can be hard for them to get back into the swing of things and I see more behavioral disruptions. It’s perfectly normal and happens to everyone. There are lots of different things parents can do to prepare the child for going back to school, but I wanted to focus on the ride to and from school. Some kids will take the bus, be driven by parents/caregivers, or may walk to school. Using that time before and after school can really help in establishing focus for the day, self-regulation, and relaxation. What better time to use music in these instances? Creating a playlist of songs, the child likes, for these specific reasons can definitely help them create a positive outlook for the day as well as decompress from a long day at school.
To start, try talking with your kids about songs they find motivating and upbeat. Songs like “Happiness” and “Let a Little Light Shine” from the KidLinks catalog are great songs to start with. Songs that are upbeat in tempo and lyrics can help the child focus on positivity that may stay with them throughout the day. Once they’ve thought of enough songs to fill their ride to school have them listen to it in the car or on their headphones, if they’re taking the bus or walking.
On the way home from school, try incorporating very calm, less upbeat songs in their playlist. Children have very full days at school. They’re required to listen, learn, run and play, navigate social relationships while forging new ones, and follow a strict schedule, all while in an environment that’s not where they’re most comfortable (which typically is at home). That’s a lot! I like to play calm/relaxing music and provide a space that they can be still and decompress after a long day at school. If they want to talk about what happened at school, great, if not, that’s ok too. This is a time just for them to unwind after everything they just experienced. The KidLinks song, “Cotton Candy Clouds-Instrumental” is so perfect for this. It’s calming, soothing, and allows open space for the listener to think or not think.
We hope these tips can help your kiddo in this transition back to school!
Sara Chigani, MA, MT-BC