Music Therapy Fall Song Ideas

Movement:

“What Falls in the Fall” by Laurie Berkner Band - I love pairing scarves with this song and making the scarves go up and down with the timing of the words. I find that moving up and down can be very regulating for kids. 

“Swirly Whirly Scarves” by Stephanie Leavell - Obviously another fun scarf song! I actually use this song year round, but it is in her fall album. It’s super easy to follow the directions and kiddos always love throwing scarves in the air. 

“BAMM” from Zombies - Each time the song sings the word “BAMM” strike a pose! Bonus points if the pose is a monster pose (Zombie arms dangling out in front of you, a vampire crossing arms across the chest). For the rest of the song, have the client (or clients) take turns picking dance moves (clapping, jumping, running, rolling fists around each other, etc.)

Song Discussion: 

“Some Things Never Change” from Frozen 2 - A fun song to discuss seasons changing with younger kids who may have higher anxiety or stress. Have them share what things stay the same in their lives. 

“Halloween” by Novo Amor - Because this is one of my favorite artists, I have to admit I have not used this song in a session. HOWEVER, I think they have some thought provoking lyrics about apathy, ego, and relying on substances. 

I remember Halloween

I hit my head on the edge of the sink

Dialing out to an older me

I miss my friends that I pretend I don't need

But I could have done with them this week

“Seasons” by Greyson Change - (EXPLICIT) Another song to discuss change and how change can be a good thing. 

“Linked

To adventures I can't see

And I'm dreamin' of some time to breathe”

Cognitive: 

“Five Little Acorns” by Miss Julieann - Great for practicing counting both backwards and forwards. You can also pair movement when she sings “shaking all about”! 

“Five Creepy Spiders” by Super Simple Songs - Another fun counting song to pair movement to! Please bare in mind that this is a more “Halloween specific” song. 

“Floating through the Breeze” by Little Parade - A fun song to practice color identification with different colored leaves we see in the fall. You can also pair scarves with this song if you don’t have leaves! 

Instrumental Recreation: 

“See the Squirrel” by Music Therapy Joy - Fun instrumental song with a guiro (or rhythm sticks if you do not have a guiro). Pairs tapping and movement with spoken sounds (tap tap tap, crack crack crack). 

“This is Halloween” by Nightmare before Christmas - The strong beats make this an easy song to play along to with percussion. There are also inexpensive TPT resources for color coded sheet music to play handbells and boomwhackers to this song! 

“Addams Family Theme” - Another easy to follow song that also has TPT resources available! 

I hope you have fun with your clients and these songs give you some fresh new ideas! Please share your thoughts and ideas!