Wellbeing

Music-based emotional regulation programs for Familes and Educators

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Music for Big Feelings

Educator and Family Professional Learning

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

✅ What is it?

Music for Big Feelings is a hands-on, evidence-informed professional learning program that equips educators and caregivers with practical, music-based strategies to support children’s emotional regulation and wellbeing.

Designed and delivered by a Registered Music Therapist, the program helps adults confidently embed emotional support into everyday routines — through songs, movement, rhythm, and play.

No musical experience required.

🎓 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, and wellbeing coordinators
  • Families and caregivers supporting children at home

🌱 Outcomes for participants

Through this program, participants gain practical, ready-to-use tools to support emotional development in everyday settings.

After the workshop, participants will be able to:

  • Help children recognise and express emotions in safe, supportive ways
  • Use music (songs, movement, rhythm) to teach emotional cues and coping strategies
  • Support co-regulation and self-regulation through sensory, breathing, and rhythmic tools
  • Foster empathy, connection, and positive social behaviours

🎶 How it’s taught

The program is built around three simple, practical stages:

  • Identify emotions – recognising feelings through music and play
  • Understand emotions – exploring why feelings happen through songs and storytelling
  • Respond to emotions – using music-based strategies for regulation, expression, and connection

📘 Program Delivery

Feel Better Music Therapy offers the Music for Big Feelings program in three delivery formats. All prices are GST exclusive.

🏫 In-Person Public Program

  • AUD $500 per participant
  • 6-hour workshop

🏢 In-Person On-Site Program

  • Up to 10 staff: AUD $3,500 | Up to 20 staff: AUD $6,000
  • 6-hour workshop

💻 Online Program

  • AUD $250 per participant
  • 2 × 2-hour live sessions via video conferencing

🔄 Ongoing Implementation Support

  • All the above options include:
    • FREE access to up to three 1-hour monthly online sessions
    • Provides coaching, troubleshooting, and shared reflection
    • Supports confident embedding of strategies into daily routines for all participants

📩 Tailored Quotes

For a customised quote or larger groups, please contact us directly.

📦 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

🧠 Evidence and why it works

Music for Big Feelings is grounded in contemporary research in music therapy and early childhood emotional development, including peer-reviewed studies by Dr Ajay Castelino (Registered Music Therapist and program developer). This research demonstrates how music-based strategies can support children to recognise and express emotions, build self-regulation skills, and engage in meaningful, predictable routines. The program translates this evidence into practical, ready-to-use tools that educators and caregivers can confidently embed into everyday interactions — no musical experience required.

🧾 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.

💬 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!