{Review} Jumpin' Jelly Beans CD: Using Sensory Processing Principles by Genevieve Jereb (OT)

A couple of weeks ago I had a "light globe moment"! I was attending a professional development course when the speaker put on some music and the whole audience started to wiggle, jump, shake, march and stop.  It dawned on me that I have actually heard this music and have even sung it and danced to it before at a local playgroup that I help to run.

The speaker was Genevieve Jereb, an Occupational Therapist with years of experience working in the US and Australia.  Genevieve is also a songwriter and has produced a number of CDs designed to "use the principles of sensory processing theory to create music, songs and rhythmic activities for children with attention, motor and regulation difficulties".

"Jumpin' Jelly Beans" is a collection of 19 original songs which have simple melodies, are light-hearted and full of fun. The CD comes with a 24-page booklet with song lyrics and activity details for each song.  Activity instructions correspond with the lyrics of the song.  
For example, in "Starfish"
             I'm a small as a bug (crouch down small)
             I'm as tall as a tree (stand tall with hands shooting above head)
             I'm as wide as a bridge (lift arms horizontal)
             I'm a wave on the sea (use arms to make wave motion).

There is a short description of the goal for each song. For example, "STARFISH is a movement song to enhance attention, alertness and body awareness.  Also teaches adjectives and comparatives".

Here is a video of the "Starfish" song {note: if you are reading this in an email, please click on the title of the article to take you to a live webpage to view the vide0}.

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During the course "The Traffic Jam in My Brain", Genevieve spoke about music as a powerful regulator and that giving instruction through song or some kind of rhythmic rhyme or rap is neurologically much easier for the brain to organise. She also spoke on developing your own music library to find music that is alerting, calming, grounding, regulating in pulse or beat, low frequency and predictable, motivating and fun, activating and current. This CD is a perfect addition to your music library.

Without knowing it, I have been singing and dancing to Gen Jereb's songs for years.  They are always popular with the preschoolers that come along to the playgroup that I help to run. Our favourites are "Hip Hop, Milkshake, Penguin Song, Push my Blues Away and Ready Set Go!" We use an ipod at playgroup so I had not looked at the CD booklet before.  Now that I have seen the booklet, I'm impressed with how the songs and actions have been developed to provide sensory benefits! I'm ready to find some new favourite songs and learn some new dance moves too {those of you who know I'm a horrible dancer with have a chuckle here}.  

The "Jumpin' Jelly Beans" CD will appeal to kids of all abilities and ages {particularly preschool and early school-age kids}.  It may be used through out the day in classrooms, homes, cars and clinics to entertain and provide "ready-to-use rhythmic songs and activities to support self regulation for the out of sync child".

Do you use music to help kids to regulate their sensory systems? 

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Note: This article contains affiliate links to iTunes and Amazon.  All opinions expressed in this article are my own and are written based on my personal and professional opinion. I purchased the "Jumpin' Jelly Beans" CD and have no affiliation with Sensory Tools.net.

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Sensory Processing Disorder: A mum's experience.

Using a weighted vest or blanket.

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