AM T1.07Clapping a Steady Beat
The adult pats or claps a steady beat while singing, and the child joins in, at first loosely and then closer to the beat.
Presentation
- 1
Sit on the floor facing the child or a small group.
- 2
Begin a familiar song and pat your knees with both hands on each beat, at the speed of a slow walk.
- 3
Keep the beat the same through the whole song. Do not speed up.
- 4
Invite the children: 'Pat with me.' Do not take their hands or correct them.
- 5
On the next verse, change to clapping. This is the point of interest: the pats and claps land with the words.
- 6
End the song and stop together with hands still in the lap.
- 7
Repeat the same song on following days before adding a new one.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Pat the beat on different body parts: knees, shoulders, head
- Pat slowly, then faster, as the adult changes the speed of the song
- Walk the beat around the room
- Tap the beat on a drum while the adult sings
Control of error
The song and the adult's hands: the child sees and hears when their claps come before or after the adult's.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Pats or claps along with a familiar song
- Stays close to the adult's beat for several beats
- Stops when the song stops
- Starts a clapping song on their own
Guide note
Many children do not match an exact beat until after age 3. The aim here is joining in and moving with the adult; accuracy is not expected or corrected.