Blog

Using Story Books in Music Learning
Using Story Books in Music Learning By: Jeff Sabo Everyone loves a good story! They expand our imagination and help us connect with others. Stories are also great for learning, and adding music can make them even more fun! They create an easy and exciting way for...

Use pitched percussion to learn by playing
By: Jeff Sabo One great thing about music is there are so many fun ways to make sounds! Many of us teach just one (or maybe a few) instruments, but we can still bring others into our lessons to expand our students' learning. At Lotus Centre, our students love pitched...

Teaching students who struggle with verbal comprehension
By: Jeff Sabo As teachers, we spend a lot of time communicating with students, and talking is one of the most important ways we do this. We use words to explain concepts and skills, ask questions, give directions, correct errors, and lots more. However, many...

Research to Practice: Polyvagal Theory, Behaviour, and Applications in Music Learning
By: Dr. Erin Parkes Our research to practice blogs provide a summary of current research and best practices on specific topics in adaptive music education, with practical applications to music teaching and learning. Managing and supporting student behaviour is an...

What to do When Progress Stalls
By: Dr. Erin Parkes Our method books, lesson plans and assessment tools in music education are all built around one thing—progress. Students learn a concept, implement it, and then move on to the next, more challenging task. But what about neurodivergent learners...

Preparing Students for Music Recitals
By: Nisreen Jardaneh Performing at a recital is part of the music learning experience. However, playing in front of an audience can be overwhelming. This is particularly true for students with exceptionalities for whom routine and consistency are essential, hence any...

Research to Practice: Sensory Processing and Autism Spectrum Disorder
By: Jeff Sabo Our research to practice blogs provide a summary of current research and best practices on specific topics in adaptive music education, with practical applications to music teaching and learning. Sensory processing is an essential part of our everyday...

Research to Practice: Autism and Pitch Perception
By: Jeff Sabo Our research to practice blogs provide a summary of current research and best practices on specific topics in adaptive music education, with practical applications to music teaching and learning. Pitch is a central part of music learning. As teachers, we...

Exploring Music Composition and Appreciation in Online Music Lessons for Students with Exceptionalities
By: Nisreen Jardaneh Teaching music online has become the new norm. Even though this option comes with many benefits, it can be a bit challenging when you teach students with exceptionalities. The question is: How can you create an engaging online lesson that attracts...

Teaching Students who Don’t Practice
By Jeff Sabo Many music teachers will encounter students at some point who don’t practice. It often goes like this: You assign practice at the end of the lesson The student comes back next week without improving You feel frustrated and the student struggles to...