Dr. Petra Kern has been busy contributing to imagine 2025 with a vibrant mix of research, reflection, and hands-on resources for families and professionals. Her work this year reaches readers and listeners across multiple sections—articles, podcasts, playlists, and music-based activities—while advancing the field through collaborative scholarship.
The Power of Parent Advocacy: In her reflection on the featured article, Dr. Kern offers an insightful, empowering, and motivating perspective on how families can partner with clinicians to reimagine therapy. Centering the caregiver voice, she highlights practical ways parents can lead, co-create goals, and celebrate meaningful progress through music.
Foundations of Parent Involvement: Together with Dr. Lori Gooding, Dr. Kern co-authored a research-based article on the foundations of parent involvement in music therapy. The piece synthesizes evidence, clarifies key principles for effective collaboration, and translates findings into strategies clinicians can implement with families from the very first session.
imagine 2025 Podcasts: Dr. Kern curated and hosted conversations with leading experts and parent partners, exploring topics such as:
- Partnering side-by-side with parents in early childhood music therapy
- Fostering connection and joy through everyday music routines
- Empowering parents in the NICU Through Music Therapy
Each episode blends real-world stories with actionable takeaways for families and practitioners.
With the Family Playlists series, Dr. Kern curated themed listening to International Lullabies—to invite shared musical moments at home. This playlist helps families build soothing routines, cultural connections, and bonding through simple, enjoyable music experiences.
Dr. Kern also contributed easy, repeatable music-mediated activities for caregivers and educators. From “Well-Done Wednesday” prompts (like creating a “Success Song Jar”) to everyday sing-along rituals, each activity is designed to boost confidence, communication, and joy.
Why it matters: Across formats, Dr. Kern’s contributions make evidence-informed music therapy accessible—lifting family voices, equipping clinicians, and inspiring communities to imagine what’s possible when parents are true partners in care.