Leah’s Blog
Breathe, and then let’s learn something together. I’m a music educator, sound healer, immigrant, and mother to an autistic child. If you like what you read, consider joining our mailing list. Click this link.
Earworm – The benefits of singing a song on repeat
Your brain likes predictability and self-soothing. And the brain loves melody and repetition. So when you sing or repeat in your mind a snippet of a song over and over it is super soothing. You can reverse engineer this to purposely sing a simple melody with a positive message when you are struggling and your brain isn’t coping. You can move the energy because emotion is just energy in motion. Move your body and let that song flow through you. Whistle a tune and sing out loud and share your voice.
Singing as a tool to connect with your baby during pregnancy, Do’s and Don’ts
As a music educator and sound healer, I want to encourage all expectant parents to be aware of and harness the power of music for connecting with their babies. Listening to music, singing along with music and humming are all simple ways that we can use music to better...
Terrific Transitions with your autistic child
Have you ever asked your autistic child - or any younger child - to help you put things away, only to be met with a blank look or instead they just ignore you and keep playing? Music is a great way to help with transitions. I think of this song as a fun way to get the...
8 ways to embrace darkness when you are parenting an autistic child
When we are struggling in our everyday lives, the winter darkness seems to make this magnified. I experience being a parent of an autistic child as cycling through a sort of post-traumatic stress syndrome. Except, I am still going through things that are stressful. It...
My three essentials in the house with my autistic child
As a #parent of an #autistic child, I have 3 essentials I carry around when I'm in the house. Keys I know most people only carry keys when they leave the house, but my child will get enthusiastic about using different products at times, so we have a few locked...
Nonbinary child’s view- using “them” pronoun for all
I wish to share stories from the parents of trans and non-binary kids, and this mom who shared her story wished to remain anonymous. She shares her experience below (The child's name has been changed for the story.) Alex is 5 years old and identifies sometimes as...
A letter from the Holy Spirit to all the LGBTQIA+ children
A prayer supporting LGBTQIA+ kids and teens I am part of an online Community of Christ church group, that asked me to write a prayer to the LGBT+ child, from the Holy Spirit. I got such lovely feedback from our group, that I wanted to also share this on my blog. If...
Calming with the wind: music as a healing tool
https://youtube.com/shorts/H9tRA08whdc?feature=share Yoik of the Wind by Sofia Jannok, Sung by Leah Irby A bird knocking on my door I was sitting in my favorite recliner chair in the living room, gathering my thoughts for the day, when I heard what sounded like a...
Video Exchange or Online Sessions: Violin/Viola Lessons, Creativity Coaching
Different ways to access music lessons and creativity coaching when you don't live in my town (Herräng/Hallstavik Sweden). 30-minute sessions cost $45 USD (425 SEK) When you contact me via the website contact form, we can schedule a time to either A) Meet via Zoom...
4 Myths about transgender and nonbinary preschool children
(And how to show support for your young child if you think they are trans or non-binary.) Has your child started to tell you that they are a different gender than you thought? Or has your child asked to use a different pronoun than what you have been using or...