Using Music Games in a Clinical Setting
Here at Musical Bridges, we like to use all possible tools we have to our advantage. One of our favorite items to add to any sessions are games! Games can be a great addition to a therapy session, whether it be a board game, puzzle, card game, educational game, etc. we love them all! In this post we will be sharing some insights into the games we use in therapy sessions and why. We have taken some regular games and turned them musical while also using games that already have a musical element.
Music Monopoly:
This twist on a classic family board game is a hit in music therapy! Some components remain the same while others have taken a turn towards the musical. You will still go around the board earning money and spending it the same way, what you buy and sell however is no longer real estate. In our version of monopoly, you buy concert tickets or get paid for the new song you wrote! Players will earn penalties, being stuck in the recording studio can put an end to your turn, the benefits you earn really make you feel like a rockstar!
Music Monopoly works on a variety of skills in cognitive and emotional areas. Within this game turn-taking, communication, impulse control, how to approach winning/losing, and so much more. This game can be done within an individual Music Therapy session or in a group setting.
Musical Twister:
Get ready to stretch and slip, our version of twister uses the regular board and spinner just as you would find straight out of the box. We have added an instrumental element in the form of wrist bells. . Losing a round will lead to some complications! Musical Twister works on a variety of skills within cognitive, physical, and emotional areas. Throughout this game an individual might be working on fine/gross motor skills, impulse control, balance, following directions, leadership, communication, emotional regulation, etc. A great game for a group setting or an individual session!
Musical Math:
With the addition of a Montessori math game, we have expanded upon simple addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication and made it musical! From previous posts regarding Neurologic Music Therapy, we have established that music is a motivator, especially in academic instances. Math can be a difficult subject, and not always a fan favorite. With the use of strategic singing, and rhythm we have brought a fun musical element to learning math skills. While primarily focusing on a cognitive area of academics this game has an added bonus of targeting fine motor skills through placement of the game pieces. An individual can work of math skills, problem-solving, fine motor, turn-taking, following directions, etc.
Song association:
An already musical game apprehended for our use! We have created our own version of the song association and created different cards to play the game with. This fun game can get you thinking and singing a wide variety of songs! We can add on the fun by bringing in a white board or piece of paper to create new categories. This game has endless possibilities. Once a song has been decided on other skills such as gross and fine motor can be incorporated through instrument play to the song.
This fun game works on a plethora of cognitive skills, an depending on the song choices could work on social-emotional skills and self-regulation. The therapist can take the songs thought of during the game to inform them on a client’s current emotional state, preferred music, or even how the rest of the session needs to continue.
Emoji Music Game:
We have even added a popular game that has popped up through social media! This emoji-based game will hone cognitive skills and encourages players to use their skills of deduction, inference, and problem solving. We have the cards separated into different categories such as movies and nursery rhymes. These categories could be endless similarly to the song association game. The category would change based on a client and what music they are familiar with.
We love to bring fun to a therapy session, even with music itself being enjoyable and motivating! Adding a game into the mix can be a great tool when working on specific skills and goals. We have and will continue to think of ways to adapt what we have at our disposal. We always want to make Music Therapy a positive experience that leads to real life improvement in goals, even if that is accomplished through a game!