Music and Mental Health: Supporting Children's Well-Being
In this session, you will explore how elementary music educators can support students’ mental health—no background in music therapy required. Music class naturally provides opportunities for self-expression, stress relief, and social connection, all of which can positively impact students' emotional well-being.
This session will focus on simple, practical strategies that any music teacher can implement to create a supportive and inclusive environment. You will learn how to use music-based activities, movement, and children’s books to help students manage stress, regulate emotions, and build a sense of belonging. Additionally, we will discuss ways to recognize when students may need extra support and how to foster a positive classroom culture that prioritizes well-being.
Outcomes and Takeaways:
Discover how music can naturally support children’s emotional and mental well-being.
Learn easy-to-implement activities that encourage self-expression and stress relief.
Explore ways to incorporate children’s books into music lessons to foster emotional understanding and connection.
Gain strategies to help students manage emotions without needing a background in music therapy.
Recognize signs of student distress and understand how to offer outlets for support
This session will empower music educators with accessible, effective approaches—through music and storytelling—to support students’ mental health while making music class a place of joy, connection, and emotional growth.
Session Objectives:
Identify ways in which music can support children's mental health, including emotional regulation, stress relief, and self-expression.
Implement simple music-based activities, including singing, movement, and rhythm exercises, to promote students' emotional well-being.
Incorporate children's books into music lessons to encourage discussions about emotions, resilience, and self-expression.
Recognize signs of student distress and apply strategies to create a safe and supportive music classroom environment.
