To say 2020 has been a difficult year is an understatement. It’s been hard at times to find things that we are grateful for amongst all of the turmoil in the world. However, it’s during this season of thanks that it’s even more important to reach out to those we care the most about and let them know we love and appreciate them for who they are.

Music therapy sessions offer many opportunities for writing and expressing gratitude and thanks. If clients cannot create songs on their own, a simple fill in the blank structure works beautifully.

One of our favorite songwriting templates is to Hap Palmer’s Things I am Thankful For.

There are many things I am thankful for

I can find them near and far

There are many things I am thankful for

Let me tell you what they are

I’m thankful for ______

I’m thankful for ______

I’m thankful for ______

And I’m thankful to be me

You can find this song on YouTube. If your child or adult cannot recall something they are thankful for, write out words or pictures for them to choose from. We have a template of some options below to give an example.

We love this resource from Speech Time Fun. Take a dice, or even download a dice app on your phone, and take turns with your child answering these engaging “wh” questions about Thanksgiving. To make it more musical, add a song in between each turn. Here’s our version:

Thanksgiving day, Thanksgiving day,

Thanksgiving day is coming our way

So roll the dice and you will see

What question you’ll get about Thanksgiving

You can also work on fine motor skills with this fun fall-themed song. Help your child or adult make a fist with one or both hands. This will be the “turkey body.” Stick the thumb out, like a thumbs up, and this will be the “turkey head.” Together, wave hands side to side to make the turkeys “dance” and sing:

Hey turkey, hey turkey, hey turkey,

Where are your feathers?

Hey turkey, hey turkey, hey turkey,

Where are your feathers?

I have one feather… (extend index finger)

Two feathers… (extend middle finger)

Three feathers… (extend ring finger)

Four feathers… (extend pinky finger)

Gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble (Wave with hands open) 

This short song with movements can work on fine motor skills, isolating each finger independently, and counting to four. To add to the fun, trace your hands on a piece of paper, color the thumb as the head and the other fingers as feathers. Sing the same song while pointing to each feather on your new piece of artwork! 

Another really great activity that we can all benefit from is focusing on relaxation in the midst of the crazy holiday season. The mindfulness and sleep body scan scripts highlight each body part but focus on the gifts that part has given us and sending gratitude for those abilities and experiences. Turn on some relaxing music and read them to yourself, your child, or another family member. Watch the worries and tension roll away!

We are grateful for you and the ability to serve your family this year. We thank you for your loyalty and trust in our services.