Tools and Resources for Teaching Rhythm

My kids are half Puerto Rican and half Polynesian. Rhythm is in their bones. That doesn’t necessarily mean they ultimately understood what rhythm was when we were exploring the subject. It also wasn’t easy to teach. How do you teach about something that you think is second nature? The concept was hard to put on paper. That is why I searched and searched for tools and resources to help me teach rhythm to my kids.

Rhythm is defined as the pattern of regular or irregular “pulses” caused in music. The pulses are generated by strong and weak melodic and harmonic beats. Basically, rhythm is precisely what makes us move, tap our feet, or bob our head when listening to music.

I mainly wanted my children to understand rhythm because I wanted them to learn how to dance some of our traditional dances. When I began homeschooling, and they started showing great interest in music, we started learning about rhythm.

We can start teaching our kids about rhythm, even as preschoolers. It is an important thing to teach kids when they are young, as recognizing patterns in rhythm can help them in many ways.

Pattern recognition, that is fundamental to rhythm, can help kids be better in athletics, be better in observations, and even better at listening. In addition to these very crucial skills for our kiddos, exercises in teaching rhythm to kids can help with language fluency, reading skills, coordination, speech, and more.

Providing our children with opportunities to practice, and perfect rhythm is a simple but useful win for us parents. 

Explore these tools and resources for teaching rhythm in your homeschool:

36 Ways to Use Rhythm Pattern Cards in Your Teaching (FREE 24-Card Set)| Ashley Danyew

“Old Town Road” Form+Rhythm Sticks | Simply Music Teaching

How to Teach Beat vs. Rhythm (Part 1) | We Make the Music

Autumn Rhythm Game for Preschoolers| Let’s Play Music

Teaching Music to Kids – A Lesson in Rhythm | Meaningful Mama

How to Use Patty-Cake and Miss Mary Mack to Teach Rhythm | Fatherly

Feel The Beat Off The Seat, Tips For Teaching Rhythm | timtopham

5 Ways to Help Your Students Master Rhythm| timtopham

Rhythm Activities for Primary School | Music Science

How to Tell the Difference Between the Rhythm & the Beat | Let’s Play Kids Music

Learn about Rhythm | Rhythm in Music

Beat vs. Rhythm: A collection of chants | Lindsay Jervis

Tips for Developing Rhythm Sense for Kids | Best Digital Piano Guides

Easy Rhythm Sticks Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers | Teaching 2 and 3-year-olds

Rhythm Instrument Activities for Preschoolers | Gryphon House

Fun Ways to Teach Rhythm to Preschoolers | the BUMP

Projectable Rhythm Flashcards (Printable and Interactive Rhythm Cards) | Emily Conroy

Best Strategies for Teaching Rhythm | Organized Chaos

Life at the Pond Rhythm Game | Let’s Play Kids Music

Printable Rhythm Cards | Piano with Lauren

Rainy Day Rhythm Games for Kids | Let’s Play Kids Music

 

101 Rhythm Instrument Activities for Young ChildrenRhythm Stick ActivitiesRhythm ‘n Kids – Volume OneSimplified Rhythm Stick ActivitiesBoxiki kids Musical Instrument Set 18 PCS | Rhythm & Music Education Toys for Kids | Clave Sticks, Shakers, Tambourine, Wrist Bells & Maracas for Kids | Natural Toys with Carrying CaseRhythm Lummi Sticks GiftedMusicKids | Set of 24 Sticks | Musical Instruments for Toddlerskilofly Kids Mini Band Musical Instruments Rhythm Toys Value Pack [Set of 12]I-MART Assorted Colors Wrist Band, Jingle Bells Musical Rhythm Toys, Band Instruments for Children, Kids (24 Pcs)Rhythm Stick Activity FunRhyme GameLummi Sticks (24-Pack)I Got the RhythmRhythm Bears

 

Teaching our kids about rhythm also reminds us of the rhythm of the world. God created the earth and the people in it. Sitting back and taking a look at God’s creation all around explains how vital movement is and how one thing leads to the other.

Scholatic.com states that a child’s capacity for rhythmicity and timing helps to build the foundation for his or her emotional and intellectual development. Organically, rhythm is able to teach children so much, even from the youngest of ages.

A simple sound causes birds to scatter and fly away, and a simple sound can send a herd of oxen running for the clouds. God’s creation forms a rhythm if we stop and listen to it going on all around us.

If you are teaching all about music this year, then start your lessons off with teaching about rhythm and just how important it is for us to understand it.