Student Spotlight: Practical Music Ideas for Little Ones—From Two Emerging Voices in Music Therapy

 

I’m thrilled to celebrate two of my students—Ayaha Hariyama and Ursula Chumley—whose creative, family-friendly ideas are featured in the latest issue of imagine, the multimedia magazine for early childhood music therapy.

If you’re a parent, educator, or therapist looking for simple, evidence-informed ways to bring music into a child’s day, these two contributions are gold: quick to try, developmentally sensitive, and fun.

What’s inside this issue

1) “Tuneful Routines” (curated by Ayaha Hariyama)
A cheerful, sing-along playlist designed to support everyday transitions (waking up, getting dressed, mealtime, personal hygiene, bedtime). It’s built for connection and predictability—two elements that help young children move smoothly through the day.

Try this today:

• Pick one routine (e.g., brushing teeth).

• Choose a short, upbeat song that always signals that routine.

• Start the track, model the action, and invite your child to join. Over time, the music becomes the cue—less nagging, more smiling.

2) “Daily Music-Mediated Activities—Week #8” (curated by Ursula Chumley)
A week of playful, five-minute activities (Motivation Monday → Feel-Good Friday) that weave in rhythm, movement, memory, and imagination. Perfect for home or classroom brain breaks.

Try this today:

• “Song Box” surprise (Tuneful Tuesday idea): Place a few small items in a box. Pick one, name it together, and sing a matching song.

• “Letter Detective!” (Thinking Thursday idea): Draw a simple letter/shape on a card, clap a steady beat, and sing the letter’s name while your child “finds” it around the room.

Why these ideas work

• Predictable musical cues reduce stress around transitions and help children anticipate what’s next.

• Short, repeated music moments build attention, language, and self-regulation—without feeling like “work.”

• Co-regulation through music (adult + child together) boosts connection and keeps activities joyful.

Who this is for

• Parents & caregivers: quick wins that fit into real life.

• Early childhood educators: easy center-ready activities and calm transitions.

• Music therapists & clinicians: family-friendly ideas you can share between sessions to generalize skills at home.

How to get the issue

Read the new issue of imagine (digital, multimedia format) here:
imagine 2025 → https://www.imagine.musictherapy.biz/wp/product/imagine-2025/

Tip: Share this post with a colleague, teacher, or parent who loves practical ideas.

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About the contributors

Ayaha Hariyama and Ursula Chumley are students at Southern Methodist University who are passionate about helping families use everyday music for development, connection, and fun. I’m proud of their thoughtful, accessible contributions to the field.

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Sharing note

Please share this blog post and the official imagine issue link above. Because imagine is a paid digital magazine, please don’t repost full PDFs or copy entire pages. Screenshots for commentary/education with attribution are fine; link back to the issue so creators are supported.

Pair These Ideas with Kid-Friendly Books & Printables

If Ayaha’s Tuneful Routines and Ursula’s five-minute music activities spark ideas for your home or classroom, here are simple ways to weave in my music-themed books and printables:

Animal Band Coloring Books (quiet focus + smooth transitions)

• Use a one-song coloring break between activities or after a routine (e.g., “brush teeth → color for one song”).

• Keep a “calm table” with crayons and an open page for children who need a regulation pause.

• Handy for waiting rooms, centers, and rainy-day bins.
  Browse the series on my Amazon Author Page → https://www.amazon.com/stores/Daniel-Brice-Tague/author/B0FFSC4J3D

Seasonal & Theme Variants (motivation + novelty)

• Rotate seasonal editions (e.g., Halloween Animal Band) to refresh engagement without changing the routine structure.

• Use seasonal pages as a Friday “feel-good” reward after a week of short music moments.
  See seasonal titles → https://www.amazon.com/stores/Daniel-Brice-Tague/author/B0FFSC4J3D

Music-Forward Activity & Puzzle Books (quiet stamina + literacy links)

• Pair Ursula’s Thinking Thursday with music-themed word searches or simple puzzles for literacy carryover.

• Try a 2-track timer: one song to start, one song to finish—then switch tasks.
  Explore activity & puzzle options → https://www.amazon.com/stores/Daniel-Brice-Tague/author/B0FFSC4J3D

Composition & Idea Notebooks (adult/teacher toolkit)

• Keep a routine log: which songs work best for wake-ups, clean-ups, or bedtime cues.

• Jot song prompts, lyric swaps, and child-preferred tracks so any caregiver can step in.
  Find composition notebooks → https://www.amazon.com/stores/Daniel-Brice-Tague/author/B0FFSC4J3D

Why this helps: predictable musical cues + short, repeated creative tasks support self-regulation, attention, and language—and they stay joyful because they feel like play.