About CST Song Of The Day

“Music reaches deep into the brain, unlocking memory, emotion and connection in ways that few other approaches can.”

Welcome to CST Song Of The Day -  a simple idea created from years of experience working alongside people living with dementia, and seeing first-hand the extraordinary effect that familiar music can have on mood, memory, confidence and communication. 

Again and again, songs that seemed forgotten suddenly returned. People who had struggled to engage began singing every word. Conversations started flowing. Faces lit up. Memories resurfaced. Music became more than entertainment - it became connection. 

I created CST Song Of The Day to bring that experience into everyday life in a practical, accessible and enjoyable way. Each day, one carefully chosen song is shared -  often linked to a calendar event, season, awareness day, anniversary or theme. The aim is not simply to play music, but to use music as a gateway into Cognitive Stimulation Therapy activities and meaningful interaction. 

Every song can open the door to: 

• reminiscence and life story conversations

• emotional connection

• singing and social interaction

• orientation to time and place

• discussion and opinion sharing

• word games and themed activities

• movement, rhythm and sensory stimulation

• confidence building and inclusion

For many people living with dementia, long-term musical memories can remain accessible even when other memories become difficult to reach. Familiar songs often stay deeply embedded within the brain. A melody, lyric or rhythm can trigger powerful memories from childhood, family life, relationships, celebrations, work, holidays and important life events. 

Music can help reduce anxiety, improve mood, encourage communication and support wellbeing. Just as importantly, it can create moments of joy, identity and togetherness. 

The songs selected for CST Song Of The Day are usually chosen because they are: 

• instantly recognisable

• easy to sing or hum along with

• strongly linked to long-term memory

• suitable for older audiences

• rich in discussion opportunities and reminiscence value

Many sessions can be used flexibly: 

• in dementia groups

• care homes

• day centres

• hospitals

• one-to-one bedside sessions

• community groups

• or at home with family carers

A typical CST Song Of The Day session may last anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour, depending on the setting and the interests of the people taking part. 

Alongside the music, you may also find: 

• themed quizzes

• picture activities

• discussion prompts

• word games

• orientation activities

• sayings and idioms

• memory triggers

• seasonal topics

• creative and sensory ideas

The project grew naturally from the wider work of Simon’s CST Activities, where hundreds of themed Cognitive Stimulation Therapy resources have been created to help support people living with mild to moderate dementia. 

The overall aim has always remained simple: To provide free, meaningful, person-centred resources that help people connect, communicate, reminisce and enjoy positive shared experiences together.

Whether you are a family carer, activity coordinator, support worker, healthcare professional or simply someone looking for ideas to brighten another person’s day, I hope CST Song Of The Day gives you inspiration, encouragement and practical tools you can use immediately. 

Because sometimes one familiar song can open a door that seemed closed. 

And sometimes music says what words no longer can.