Music therapy support for SA preschools
Preschool Boost Music Therapy Support
Building children’s emotional regulation and social skills through music, while strengthening educator capability.
Feel Better Music Therapy is an approved Preschool Boost allied health provider offering music therapy support to South Australian preschools and early learning services.
This service combines direct work with children, educator modelling, and implementation support to help strengthen emotional regulation, social skills, participation, and wellbeing within everyday preschool environments.
Led by Registered Music Therapist Dr Ajay Castelino, sessions use the engaging qualities of music to support children to recognise emotions, manage big feelings, develop positive social interactions, and participate more confidently in group experiences.
Rather than relying on ongoing weekly therapy visits, this approach focuses on building the confidence and capability of educators already working with children every day.
📋Example Support Model
Every service is different. Support can be tailored to your children’s needs, educator goals, service size, and available Preschool Boost funding.
A common model includes:
• Initial onsite visit focused on observation, modelling, and direct work with children
• Educator implementation period
• Follow-up visit for coaching, reflection, and strategy refinement
Step 1: Onsite Demonstration and Modelling
An initial full-day visit is conducted at your service.
During this visit, Dr Ajay works directly with groups of children while educators actively observe and participate. Through singing, movement, rhythm activities, musical games, and emotional regulation activities, educators see practical strategies demonstrated in real-time with their own children.
Focus areas may include:
- Emotional regulation
- Emotional awareness
- Social skills and peer interaction
- Group participation
- Communication and engagement
- Managing transitions and routines
Educators receive practical ideas they can immediately begin using within their existing program.
Step 2: Implementation Period
Over the following weeks, educators trial and embed music-based strategies within everyday routines.
Strategies can be incorporated into:
- Circle time
- Transitions
- Group learning experiences
- Emotional regulation activities
- Play-based learning
- Calming and wellbeing routines
Step 3: Follow-Up Visit
Approximately one month later, a second full-day visit is provided.
This visit focuses on:
- Reviewing implementation
- Refining strategies
- Addressing challenges
- Additional modelling and coaching
- Extending activities based on children’s needs
This process helps ensure strategies become embedded within everyday practice rather than remaining a one-off experience.
🌱 Benefits for Children
Recognising and expressing emotions
🎵 Managing big feelings
🎵 Developing positive peer relationships
🎵 Participating in group activities
🎵 Building confidence and engagement
🎵 Strengthening social skills
👩🏫 Benefits for Educators
Educators gain:
- Practical music-based strategies
- In-context modelling and coaching
- Increased confidence supporting emotional development
- Strategies that complement existing play-based programs
- Resources that can be used beyond the support period
✨ What Makes This Approach Different?
Rather than removing children from their everyday environment, music therapy support is delivered within existing preschool routines and group experiences. Educators participate alongside children, allowing strategies to be immediately observed, practised, and embedded into everyday practice.
This creates benefits not only for the children participating in sessions, but also for educators and the wider preschool community.
🧩 Tailored to your service
Every service is different. Support can be tailored to your children’s needs, educator goals, service size, and available Preschool Boost funding.
Support may include:
• Full-day or half-day onsite visits
• Direct group work with children
• Educator coaching and modelling
• Online consultation and follow-up support
• Written resources and implementation guidance
Session length, frequency, and delivery format are customised in consultation with each service.
🎶 Why music?
Music is naturally engaging, motivating, and highly accessible for young children.
Songs, rhythm, movement, and musical play provide meaningful opportunities for children to learn emotional skills, practise self-regulation, develop social connections, and participate successfully within group environments.
🧠 About Ajay Castelino
Dr Ajay Castelino is a Registered Music Therapist with more than 18 years of experience supporting young children, families, educators, and early learning services. His background includes delivering group-based music therapy programs in early childhood settings, professional learning for educators, and doctoral research exploring how music can support child development and caregiver confidence. Through Feel Better Music Therapy, Ajay works with services to build sustainable, music-based approaches that strengthen children’s emotional regulation, social skills, and wellbeing.
🧾 Funding and costs
Preschool Boost funding may be used to access music therapy support through Feel Better Music Therapy.
Services can engage support through:
- Full-day onsite visits
- Half-day onsite visits
- Online consultation and coaching
- Tailored implementation support packages
Services are encouraged to contact us for a customised proposal based on their goals, service size, location, and preferred level of support.
💬 Enquire About Preschool Boost Music Therapy Support
To discuss how music therapy can support your children, educators, and preschool community, please contact Feel Better Music Therapy.
Email: ajay@feelbettermusictherapy.com.au
Phone: 0435 786 770
Feel Better Music Therapy 