Beat versus Rhythm
This activity works with children 3 to 7, and with children 8 to 11.
Beforehand Preparation
At home, sing the song and tap the rhythm of the words with one hand. Sing the song again and tap only the steady beat with the other hand. See if you can tap the rhythm in one hand and the beat with the other hand at the same time while you sing.
Activity
Ask the children to tap the steady beat of the song with their hands onto their laps. Sing the song and tap the beat. Now ask the children to tap the rhythm of the words on their laps. I sometimes ask the younger children to clap the words of the song, capturing them as they come out of their mouth.
Split the room into two groups. Have someone lead one group in tapping the beat, and someone lead the other group in tapping the rhythm as you sing the song.
For older children, ask them if they can tap the beat with one hand, and tap the rhythm with the other hand as you sing the song.
Benefits of the Activity
Great for children who learn through musical and kinesthetic intelligence (see Chapter Five). Great for practicing steady beat with all of its benefits (see Chapter Ten). Great for fitting the rhythm of the words with the melody of the music to increase language skills (see Chapter Ten). Great for active participation in the learning process (See Chapter One).
This activity works with children 3 to 7, and with children 8 to 11.
Beforehand Preparation
At home, sing the song and tap the rhythm of the words with one hand. Sing the song again and tap only the steady beat with the other hand. See if you can tap the rhythm in one hand and the beat with the other hand at the same time while you sing.
Activity
Ask the children to tap the steady beat of the song with their hands onto their laps. Sing the song and tap the beat. Now ask the children to tap the rhythm of the words on their laps. I sometimes ask the younger children to clap the words of the song, capturing them as they come out of their mouth.
Split the room into two groups. Have someone lead one group in tapping the beat, and someone lead the other group in tapping the rhythm as you sing the song.
For older children, ask them if they can tap the beat with one hand, and tap the rhythm with the other hand as you sing the song.
Benefits of the Activity
Great for children who learn through musical and kinesthetic intelligence (see Chapter Five). Great for practicing steady beat with all of its benefits (see Chapter Ten). Great for fitting the rhythm of the words with the melody of the music to increase language skills (see Chapter Ten). Great for active participation in the learning process (See Chapter One).
