Drumbeat Fun

[30 Minutes]

Make homemade drums and create your own parade. What a wonderful way to spend quality time together!

You'll need:

• construction or wrapping paper • colored markers or crayons • glue or paste • child safety scissors • empty coffee cans or oatmeal boxes with lids • smooth wooden sticks for beating the drum (unsharpened pencils or chopsticks) • music (optional)

What to do:

1. Invite your child to assemble a drum by covering a container with paper. Cut and glue the ends together.
2. Encourage your child to decorate the drum.
3. Play a favorite recording and march around the room.
4. Teach your child the following poem:

   The drum, the drum; a-ta-tum-a-ta-tum.
   I hear a parade and the sound of a drum; a-rum-a-ta-tum-a-rum-a-ta-tum.
   The drum, the drum; a-ta-tum-a-ta-tum.
   Let everyone march and join in the fun.

Let's Talk: Ideas to Explore Together.

• What shape is your drum?
• Can you make sounds on your drum? Does it sound different when you use sticks or your hands?
• Do you remember the last time we saw a parade? Tell me about it.

Useful information:

While you are having fun together, this activity helps your child develop listening skills, and small muscle skills.