Materials:
1 rhythm stick per child (purchased or made from dowels)
Instructions:
1. If you do not have rhythm sticks, make your own by cutting 3/4 ” thick
dowels into 12” lengths. Sand the edges smooth.
2. Have the children sit in a circle with a lot of space between each other.
Give each child a rhythm stick. Explain to them that the sticks can be
very dangerous and they should not touch anyone with their sticks.
44 The Encyclopedia of Infant and Toddler Activities
Discovery
3. Have them model your actions. Say, “Make your stick do what my stick
does.” Tap the floor in front of you and say, “Go, go, go, STOP!” Every time
you say “go,” your rhythm stick should touch or tap the floor.
4. Hold the rhythm stick in front of you and say, “Put it on your foot!”
Repeat several times, having the children put their sticks on a different
body part each time (hand, shoulder, knee, and so on).
5. Say, “We’re going to try something new. Keep the beat with me.” Tap the
floor in front of you, keeping a steady regular beat. Once the children
have it, start singing a favorite song to the beat you are keeping. A good
one to try is “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.”
6. Sing it through once and then tell the children, “Watch and listen.
Make your stick do what my stick does!” Sing the song again with a
faster beat.
