It's often easy to develop transition songs for young students, especially those in early childhood settings. How many times have we all piggybacked lyrics to "Skip to my Lou" or "Twinkle Little Star." It becomes more challenging when students become older and still require songs to address basic skills. These creative challenges can either energize a school-based music therapist or create frustration. Personally, I typically thrive on this sort of creative challenge.
I wrote these parody lyrics for a 4th grade student diagnosed with Autism. These lyrics are to the song "Blister in the Sun" by The Violent Femmes. I must give Kelli Ballard, St. Louis music therapist, credit for planting this idea in my head. I love former interns who share ideas!
When I'm A-Walkin'
Verse:
When I'm a-walkin' I might have to go to OT
Or I might walk down the hall to have fun in PE
Chorus:
When I'm in the hall
I keep my hands to myself
My voice is quiet
I keep walking where I need to go
Go ahead, get out your guitar and sing the chorus. It's super addicting! I keep adding verses for different places the student may need to go. When using this in live presentation, I use adapted RAS (Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation) while snapping to help with walking pace, and I improvise verses using lyrics about where the student is going real time. Enjoy!
