Music therapy sessions for teenagers can sometimes feel repetitive, and finding engaging musical experiences that resonate with this age group is a common challenge. This post explores how leveraging popular music, specifically the song “Best Day of My Life” by American Authors, can invigorate your teen music therapy sessions and foster meaningful engagement.
“Best Day of My Life” stands out as an excellent pop song choice for therapeutic settings. Its catchy melody, repetitive structure, and call-and-response elements make it instantly appealing to teenagers. Crucially, many teen clients are already familiar with and enjoy this song, creating an immediate point of connection. Furthermore, its simple chord progression makes it accessible for therapists to play on guitar or piano, facilitating live musical interaction during sessions.
This popular track serves as an ideal springboard for in-depth song discussions, encouraging self-reflection and verbal expression. Here’s a step-by-step guide to using “My Best Day Of My Life Song” in your music therapy practice:
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Introduction and Lyric Presentation: Begin by introducing “Best Day of My Life.” Display the lyrics prominently, using a whiteboard or projected screen, to ensure visual accessibility for all participants.
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Sing-Along Engagement: Play the song and encourage the teens to sing along. Active participation through singing enhances engagement and creates a shared musical experience.
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Reflective Prompt: “My Best Day” Exploration: Transition into a reflective exercise by asking each group member to contemplate their personal “best day of my life.” Prompt them to consider specific details: When did this day occur? What activities made it special? Why does it hold the title of “best day”?
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Creative Expression through Art and Writing: After individual reflection, distribute paper, markers, and pens. Invite the teens to artistically represent their “best day.” They can draw scenes, symbols, or simply jot down keywords associated with their positive memories, such as “beach,” “graduation,” or “concert.” Adapt this activity to suit varying skill levels within the group.
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Sharing and Group Discussion: Facilitate a sharing circle where teens who feel comfortable can describe their “best day” experiences. Encourage interaction by asking follow-up questions and fostering a supportive listening environment as each participant shares their positive memories.
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Musical Reinforcement: Conclude the session by singing “Best Day of My Life” once more. This final sing-through reinforces the positive theme and provides a sense of closure to the activity.
This structured intervention using “my best day of my life song” is particularly effective for teenagers with autism spectrum disorder and learning delays. However, its adaptable nature allows for modification to meet the diverse needs of various teen populations. The activity can be simplified or made more complex depending on the group’s cognitive and expressive abilities.
Incorporating popular songs like “Best Day of My Life” into music therapy not only enhances engagement but also provides a familiar and enjoyable pathway for teens to explore emotions, improve communication, and build positive self-expression skills. Explore this song in your next session and discover its therapeutic potential.
