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Rhythm Stick Activities For Curious Kids
There's nothing like a set of rhythm sticks for turning another day indoors into a memorable adventure full of fun and music.
It's amazing that something as inexpensive as a set of rhythm sticks can be so entertaining. It's also refreshing that children can get so much enjoyment out of something so simple – if you're looking for some affordable entertainment, forget all those expensive gadgets and noisy toys and check out these rhythm sticks activities instead!
If you've never heard of rhythm sticks before, they're simple musical instruments – picture a pair of wooden sticks designed to be tapped together or on other surfaces to make all sorts of entertaining percussive sounds.
Rhythm sticks are often used in music activities by teachers as they're a great way of encouraging children to get musical whilst having fun.
Most children need little encouragement to work out what to do with rhythm sticks so you don't need a list of rhythm stick activities or games to get started – just hand them over to children and watch them start making music and having fun with the sticks!
Rhythm sticks are easy to find and available to buy inexpensively online and they come in lots of different types of designs. Using rhythm sticks is a fun way of teaching rhythm and encouraging musical expression at home or in the classroom.
But as well as being easy for little hands to hold, rhythm sticks are a great resource for helping children with their curriculum learning through a variety of activities.
Rhythm sticks aren't just about making music either – you can use them to play all sorts of fun and educational games with children of all ages. They're also brilliant for teaching all sorts of subjects in fun ways, from counting to phonics!
Try these ideas for rhythm sticks activities and games at home as a fun activity to entertain toddlers and preschoolers indoors.
Say Your Name
Children love games that focus on their name, so this rhythm stick activity is a great one for preschool children or a toddler who hasn't played with a rhythm stick before because they'll get the hang of it right away. The idea is to tap the sticks together to sound out the rhythm of your name.
The children should sit in a circle and take it in turns, one by one, to say their name aloud while tapping out each syllable. For example, I'd say Hei-di and I'd tap the rhythm sticks together twice at the same time.
Everyone in the circle should copy the child's name, tapping the rhythm sticks together as they say it.
Let each child have a go. This is also a fun way of helping children to learn each other's names!
Copy Me
Music activities are lots of fun for children of all ages, and copying each other is also always fun! Get each child to take it in turns to sound out a pattern using the rhythm sticks.
They might bang them together quickly several times following by slowly once or twice, for example. Each child in the class or group should then try to copy the rhythm. Continue until everyone has had a go.
Read A Story
Rhythm sticks activities aren't just about making music – you can use them to help children focus on learning and listening through games, too.
Read a story aloud to the children and use the rhythm sticks to sound out various parts of the plot as you go. It could be the sound of Little Red Riding Hood's feet as she walks through the forest or the rhythm of the words she uses when she speaks to the wolf.
Other similar rhythm sticks activities you could try include making up your own story and using the sticks to beat out the sound every time you say a certain word.
Count to Ten
Use the rhythm sticks to help your child get to grips with counting in this fun game. Simply count together from one to two through to ten, using the sticks to count out the numbers as you go.
Thunder and raindrops
No matter how many rhythm stick activities we try, noisy play is always lots of fun for kids. Tell the children a story about the weather and describe hearing the pitter-patter of fine raindrops on the roof.
Get everyone to tap the sticks together gently and then tell them about the rain getting heavier and see if they can play the sticks to make them sound like heavy rain. Build up the story and the noise until it's time to drum them on the floor like a thunderstorm.
If you're happy and you know it
Making music is one of the most fun form of rhythm sticks activities. Sing the words to the song 'If you're happy and you know it' with the children and have them dance, make movement and explore making music as they tap the sticks on all kinds of surfaces to the words 'clap your hands' and 'stamp your feet'.
This works with lots of other songs, too!
Simon says
Of all the activities we've tried, this is our favourite. Play the classic game 'Simon says' and have the children follow along. If Simon says 'beat your sticks together' then everyone should do so, but if you don't say 'Simon says' first, then anyone who follows the instruction is out. Pop some music on to make this extra fun.
Musical statues
This is one of those activities that you might not think of doing with rhythm sticks, but it's great fun to have some free play whilst enjoying some music together and banging an instrument!
Put some fun music on and have everyone dance and jump around whilst playing their sticks until the music stops, when everyone has to stand still until the music starts again.
When each child is out, let them help with the music.
Listen to Teddy
Some sticks activities don't involve music of any kind but still help to develop the skills that budding music makers need! This is one of them.
Get a favourite teddy or cuddly toy and pretend they're whispering instructions – like 'play them quietly' or 'use them to make music' – in your ear. Relay the instructions and let everyone volunteer to have the teddy whisper in their ear too! Add extra cuddly toys if you like.
30 Cello Facts That Will Make You Want To Learn The Instrument
The cello has made various appearances in popular music. However, it is best known as a member of orchestras and string chamber ensembles.
The foremost cello dates back to the 16th century and is still a prominent stringed instrument today. It was included in The Beatles' 'Eleanor Rigby' and 'Strawberry Fields Forever' in the '60s.
Aerosmith, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, and One Republic are among the most modern bands that employ the cello.
The cello features an empty wooden frame with two sound holes and four strings extending down the body and neck, similar to the violin and viola.
It is, however, much bigger, and cellists normally perform the instrument while sitting, with the cello's body resting between their knees.
Endpins, which are spikes that support the cello on the floor, are common on modern cellos.
The cello is often used as a solo piece, in chamber compositions, and as part of the strings section of an orchestra.
The cello was mostly used to complement other instruments throughout the Baroque era (1600–1750).
Yo-Yo Ma is arguably among the most well-known and famous cellists alive today.
At the age of five, he began to perform in front of an audience, and by the age of seven, he had played before President John F. Kennedy.
Mischa Maisky, an Israeli born in the Soviet Union, is another famous cellist.
Alan Harris is the most well-known cello teacher in the country and began teaching cello music in 1959.
The Duport Stradivarius cello is the most expensive in the world, and it was created by Antonio Stradivari in the year 1711, amid Stradivari's golden time.
Continue reading to learn some more interesting facts about the cello.
5 Quick And Easy Face Paint Ideas
Face painting is a great rainy-day activity - and it is also a brilliant way to have fun as a family during lockdown.
Rather than saving face-painting only for birthday parties and Halloween - why don't you get your paints out and start experimenting with new face painting ideas? We have gathered together a list of quick and easy face paint ideas, which could be done by an older sibling, or even parents who have no artistic ability.
Uncommon Instrument Awareness Day
The people of the United States of America celebrate Uncommon Instrument Awareness Day.
15 Easy Sewing Projects For Kids
Sewing is considered a great life skill for any child to learn, everyone would benefit from knowing how to attach a button or repair any tear, and it might be the start of something even bigger.
Not a long time ago, it was common for kids to learn the spectacular art of sewing.
When the clothes were made by hand, and hats and mittens were usually a living room project, it typically made sense that children would learn to provide these items for themselves as they grew up.
While your children might not need to create their own wardrobes or something like that but there are still several real benefits to investing your time and resources into introducing your children to the art of basic sewing.
Kids often have problems when they have to do some precise work with their own hands. This is usually normal when they are small, it might be left untreated, and they might become very rough with their hand coordination which could cause them difficulties when they are writing, playing, or using some kind of tools.
If they start sewing, these issues can be avoided altogether.
Since it requires delicate and precise hand movements, sewing helps them to develop fine motor skills suitably. If you want your child to have a hobby that will have a positive impact on their character development and mental growth, consider teaching them how to sew.
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