Your Child is Ready to Move to the Beat!

“Come they told me, pa -rum-pa-pum-pum!”

Tis the Season for drums, bells, singing, and community! To sing and play together in a group, you, your child, your friends, have to be able to keep a steady beat. But, what is steady beat and why is it important?

Steady beat is the underlying pulse of the music. It’s like when you go to the doctor and he or she takes your pulse. The doctor is testing how your underlying beat is pulsing! This beat keeps you going, keeps all of your body functions, functioning. Without it, the whole process shuts down.

So it is with music, when we find that single pulse to carry our music, it lifts everyone’s spirit and the message of the music can lift our hearts, minds, and attitudes. Every song has a message, and music carries that message in a special way.

Wouldn’t you like your child to learn to uplift people through music? Well, steady beat is step number 1. But how could a young child learn it?  Here are some ideas:

1. Hold your baby and dance to the beat of your favorite song. You can even hold your baby lying down, upright, on your shoulders, etc. Whatever position makes your child comfortable. Plus, changing the position helps your child’s brain to orient itself in space and time.
2. Your toddler already LOVES dancing. So put on a dance tune like We are the Dinosaurs by Laurie Berkner (look up on YouTube) and MARCH!
3. Your preschooler already loves to color! Get a piece of scratch paper, a crayon, and your favorite tune. My suggestion: I Know a Chicken (also by Laurie Berkner on YouTube). Take the crayon and tap the beat on the paper by making a dot with the crayon on the beat. Then, find some shaky eggs and have a fun time!
4. Your big kid (ages 5-6) might be ready to try that beat on the piano! Just have them play two sounds, one for each hand, that sound good together. Keep a steady beat while you sing, Row, Row, Row Your Boat, or to make it Christmas, try Jingle Bells or Little Drummer Boy.

Now you know some ways to keep the beat with your child, ages 0 – 6, that are fun, engaging, and easy!  

Would you like to learn more about how steady beat helps your child read, write, and do music?  You could wait for next week’s article.  OR you could CALL TODAY: 770-315-1302! I would love to help you on your child’s musical journey!  Mrs. Bonnie!