Tools and Resources for Teaching Rhythm
Published:
October 16, 2019
Contributor:
Jeannette Tuionetoa
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure for more info.
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.