Drums

Beforehand Preparation:

Find small boxes, Number 10 cans with lids, or other things that could serve as quieter drums. You could also find something to use as drumsticks, like a spoon.

Create a pattern to the steady beat of the song that can be played on the “drums”.

Activity:

Model the pattern on one of the drums. Ask some children to come up and be the drummers while the other children play the pattern on their lap.

Do the pattern and sing the song.  Ask the children to choose a friend to take their place on the drums.  Sing and do the pattern again.

Benefits:

Purposeful movement to a steady beat is a wonderful way to help develop the executive function of the frontal lobe of the brain.  Children love to be involved as they drum the rhythm pattern as you sing.  They hear the song again and again without recognizing it.