Rhythm and patterns — Art, 4–6 years
Notice and make repeating beats, sounds and movements. Art, 4–6 years.
A rhythm repeats
Rhythm is the way sounds or movements are placed in time. A pattern such as clap, clap, tap can come back again and again. Some beats are strong and some are soft, and the spaces between them matter too.
Why make a rhythm?
A steady rhythm helps people move or act together. Long ago, people used claps, drums and songs to work, dance and celebrate as a group. Repeating sounds also helps us remember a song or know when to begin and stop.
Make a four-beat pattern
Count slowly: one, two, three, four. Clap on one and three, then tap your knees on two and four. Repeat the same four beats. Now make clap louder than tap; the pattern stays the same, but it sounds different.
Do not rush
People often speed up when a pattern feels exciting or difficult. That is reasonable because our bodies want to follow the energy. If the beats become faster each time, however, the group loses the shared pattern. Listen, breathe, and leave the same space between beats.
Rhythm all around
You can hear rhythm in songs, clapping games and marching feet. It also appears in dance, poetry and the repeated sounds of a train. Chefs, athletes and workers sometimes use a steady beat to keep a repeated action even, but not every sound has a pattern.
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