3 great songs to use with adaptive musical instruments
by Beth
Music therapist Ryan Judd is back! In his previous guest post, Ryan shared three instruments that are easy to adapt for little hands. Today he gives blog readers some fun, easy-to-learn interactive songs you can play with those instruments.
Stomp, rattle and roll
by Ryan Judd, MA, MT-BC
The tambourine is one of my favorite kid-friendly instruments. If you slip a thick rubber band over a tambourine and pull it under a child’s shoe, they can join you in a song about kicking or stomping. Here’s an easy one for you, based on the song Old McDonald. Every time you sing “stomp, stomp here” or “kick, kick there,” stop and wait for the child to do this action before continuing the song.:
Old McDonald had a band, E-I-E-I-O,
and in his band he had a tambourine, E-I-E-I-O.
With a stomp, stomp here and a stomp, stomp there.
Here a stomp, there a stomp, everywhere a stomp, stomp.
Old McDonald had a band, E-I-E-I-O.
This song can also be used with a tambourine slipped onto a child’s wrist like a bracelet. If you are using the rubber band adaptation, the tambourine can be snugly attached to a child’s hand as you sing this song, just substitute the word “ring” or “jingle” for “stomp.” Example: “With a ring, ring here and a ring, ring there.”
The Old McDonald song with the tambourine can be a fun and motivating way to connect and bond with your child and work on motor skills at the same time. In addition, these activities can lift a child’s spirits and make them feel successful.
Along with tambourines, I also love using rhythm sticks and maracas with kids. Here’s 
an easy little jingle for the rhythm sticks that is based on the song “The Wheels on the Bus”.
The sticks in your hand go tap, tap, tap
Tap, tap, tap
Tap, tap, tap.
The sticks in your hand go tap, tap, tap
All through this song.
I don’t want to leave those maracas out! Here’s a tune based on “She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain” that you can use for maracas. You can substitute “He’ll” for “She’ll” if you are working with a boy:
She’ll be playing those maracas in this song. (rattle rattle)
She’ll be playing those maracas in this song. (rattle rattle)
She’ll be playing those maracas
She’ll be playing those maracas
She’ll be playing those maracas in this song. (rattle rattle)
You can take this even further and work on different motor movements by singing “She’ll be playing those maracas way up high” or “She’ll be playing those maracas side to side.”
There is so much you can do with some simple songs and simple instruments. Just make sure that you join in the fun and model the actions for your child. For more help, watch this video of me adapting and using musical instruments myself:
You might also consider signing up for my free newsletter for more ideas on how to use music in adaptive and therapeutic ways.
See Part 1 of this blog post about how to adapt 3 musical instruments for kids with and without disabilities.
September 23rd, 2022 at 3:55 am
I run a singing group for people living with dementia and really struggle to find purposeful ways to use musical instruments. These ideas are perfect…thank you 😃
April 3rd, 2014 at 9:36 pm
Hi
I was one of the children who had the privilege to attend day camp in the mid 50’s. I had polio in 1954, and attended the Holler Park Camp in 2nd, 3rd and 4th grades during summer vacation. It is now 55 years later, and I still remember the socialization and craft programs from all those years ago! Many thanks to Easter Seals and all you do.