At Harmony Music Therapy, our mission is to guide our clients to experience joy, overcome challenges, and discover inner strength. A major stepping stone to learning these skills is self-awareness, and we’d like to share our favorite resources to help you support and teach your child in the home. Here are 3 recommendations and songs that you can start using today.

1. Use Music in Your Everyday Life

Music surrounds all of us in our daily routines, and it is helpful to mindfully introduce songs that will help your child naturally increase their self-awareness. One of our personal favorites to improve physical self awareness is I Like the Me I See by Culture Queen. This song encourages children to pay attention to different aspects of their physical appearance, such as their eyes, hair, and chin, and teaches that we are all different but unique. Try listening to this song in front of the mirror and help your child identify the differences they see between them and yourself.

2. Model Healthy Emotional Expression

Children learn by example, and as adults, we are their primary role models. Share your feelings with them, and discussing how you cope with challenges or navigate difficult situations. This not only helps children understand that emotions are a natural part of life but also provides them with effective strategies for managing their own feelings. There are so many songs that talk about emotions in simple terms, and one of our winners is I’m Always Me by Narwhals and Waterfalls. We love the message of this song as it emphasizes that people feel a wide variety of emotions, and that’s okay. Try dancing along to this song by stomping or flying around like a butterfly. This will show your children that you experience these emotions too, and help them increase the awareness of different emotions in their own body.

3. Teach Mindfulness and Self-Reflection:

Introducing mindfulness practices to children can significantly contribute to their emotional self-awareness. Simple activities like deep breathing, affirmations, or mindful coloring can help children tune into their emotions and thoughts. Encourage them to reflect on their experiences, asking questions like “How did that make you feel?” or “Why do you think you felt that way?” One song that we love teaches children to take deep breaths and to get a hug from someone when they need it. Bear Hug by Stephanie Leavell teaches children to give themself a bear hug, but try giving them a big hug whenever she sings it. This will strengthen your relationship with them and provide a good space where you can practice and model deep breathing during the second half of the song.

These are only a few songs in a large ocean of music, so we encourage you to keep exploring. Find songs that relate to your child’s individual experiences and utilize them to help your child communicate their needs. By using music, we can empower our children with the tools they need to navigate and communicate their emotions. Together, let’s create an environment that nurtures self-awareness, resilience through challenges, and joy in daily life. 

Warm Regards, 

Sarah Wilson and The Harmony Music Therapy Team

www.harmonymusictherapy.com