Wellbeing

Wellbeing Programs for Schools

Get in touch

Music for Big Feelings

Educator Professional Learning

Now available for early learning centres, kindergartens and primary schools in Australia!

✅ What is it?

Music for Big Feelings is a live face-to-face or online professional learning workshop that equips early childhood and primary school educators with music-based strategies to support children’s emotional regulation, social skills and wellbeing. Led by a Registered Music Therapist, the program builds staff confidence and practical skills to embed music-led emotional support in everyday routines.

Music for Big Feelings is officially listed on the ACER Wellbeing Guide, recognising its evidence-informed approach to supporting emotional wellbeing in children and young people.

🎯 Who it’s for

  • Early childhood educators and centre staff
  • Primary school teachers, learning-support staff, wellbeing coordinators
  • Centres or schools seeking evidence-based approaches to emotional regulation and social-emotional learning

🌱 What educators gain & how children benefit

After the workshop, educators will be able to:

  • Help children recognise and express emotions in safe, supportive ways
  • Use musical activities (songs, movement, rhythm) to teach emotional cues, context, and coping strategies
  • Support co-regulation and self-regulation through sensory, breathing and rhythmic tools
  • Foster empathy, connection and prosocial behaviours in classrooms and early learning settings

Children benefit from more emotionally literate, attuned classrooms where regulation, empathy and social connection are supported — not just through talk, but through music, rhythm and play.

🛠️ How it works — Structure & Delivery

One 4-hour face-to-face workshop (onsite) for up to 20 participants

Alternatively: Online workshop format (2 × 2-hour sessions) — ideal for staff who prefer remote PD

Includes all resources needed: digital resource pack, song routines, visuals, and optional ongoing support

📦 Resources Provided

Participating educators receive:

  • A digital resource pack: step-by-step activity guides, song-based routines, visual supports (e.g. emotion cards, rhythm cue cards, breathing visuals)
  • Access to a resource hub (online) for continued support and reference
  • Optional on-going mentoring or follow-up sessions, depending on package

📝 Evidence & Why It Works

Music for Big Feelings is grounded in peer-reviewed research by Dr Ajay Castelino — showing how structured musical experiences and therapist-composed songs support emotional recognition, regulation and co-regulation in young children. The workshop also draws on established frameworks such as music therapy principles, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, self-regulation theory, social–emotional learning (SEL), and polyvagal-informed rhythmic regulation — making it suitable and effective across early childhood and primary settings.

📝 Funding Options

Music for Big Feelings can be funded through several Victorian initiatives that support school and early childhood wellbeing:

Victorian School Mental Health Menu

This workshop aligns with the Wellbeing Promotion streams of the Victorian School Mental Health Fund.
Eligible government schools can use their allocated funding to purchase the program as part of their mental health and wellbeing supports for students.

Flexible School or Service Budgets

Schools and early childhood services may also purchase the workshop through general professional learning budgets.

🧾 Pricing

Pricing varies depending on group size, delivery mode and support package.
As a guide:

  • Onsite professional learning workshops start from $3,000 + GST
  • Online workshop programs start from $250 per participant + GST

For a tailored quote, schools and services can contact us directly.

💬 Want to bring it to your school or centre?

Get in touch to discuss how Music for Big Feelings can support your educators’ professional learning, improve emotional wellbeing practices, and enhance learning environments for children.

Get in touch!