Children are naturally drawn to pure rhythm and unadorned tonal. Some are more attracted to rhythm than tonal while others are more attracted to tonal than rhythm. Of course, some of your children may be more attracted to each other than to anything else! Children who aren’t immediately taken in by rhythm or tonal can keep other children from tuning in. Here are some tips for implementing Rhythm and Tonal Activities with your children.
Use non-verbal communication—Use your well-honed ability to communicate non-verbally with children. Lead children by your actions rather than by words. Observe and guide your children’s responses rather than instructing verbally. The less you talk about Rhythm and Tonal Activities, the more the music will speak to your children.
Minimize distractions—Be aware that any sounds during Rhythm and Tonal Activities can interrupt the young child’s musical imagination—including well-meaning teacher comments or children’s squeals of glee. Even children’s spontaneous singing or tapping along with a recording can be distracting if it drowns out the model or draws attention to the singing or tapping. Each Rhythm or Tonal Activity is a “musical story” to the young child’s musical imagination. Extraneous sounds interrupt the “story” and shut down the musical imagination. Guide children non-verbally so the “story” dominates the experience. If your children spontaneously sing along with robust voices, or tap along with loud tapping, turn up the volume of the recording or turn down the volume of the children’s response so it does not upstage the “story.”
Immerse children in Rhythm and Tonal Activities—The more your children hear Rhythm and Tonal Activities, the more the Activities will capture your children’s musical imaginations, and the more your children will want to hear the Activities. Just as with language, children have to become immersed in the language of the musical mind. Repetition is essential. Saturate your children with Rhythm and Tonal Activities and then saturate them some more! Use the “loop” function on the Player Options button to extend each Activity. See how long your children will stay with one Rhythm or Tonal Activity.
