Rhythm Sticks

Activity Overview

Music is incredibly beneficial for cognitive and emotional development. It stimulates intellectual, social-emotional, motor, and linguistic development, and helps the body and mind work together in unison. Not to mention, it’s fun and enjoyable! In this task, students will design and create their own rhythm sticks to learn about counting, tempo and rhythm. Rhythm sticks are a perfect match for this activity because they offer tactile feedback, as well as the opportunity to develop dexterity and coordination via an incredibly accessible and simple medium. Students will be prompted to take the time to reflect on their own sensory experience by noticing their breathing and other physiological responses to creating and engaging with music and rhythms.

*Please note: reinforce any safety rules that may be necessary while using rhythm sticks. They are tools, not toys, and should not be used in inappropriate or unsafe ways.*

What You Need

• Craft sticks, dowels, strong twigs, chopsticks, or (with an adult’s permission) wooden kitchen utensils

• Glue

• String, yarn, or washi tape

• Optional: paints, markers, or other decorative materials

Steps

1. Make your instruments: create a set of rhythm sticks for each participant. Rhythm sticks should be 6-8 inches long, and about ¾-1½ inches in diameter, depending on your materials. Here are some suggested options to create home-made rhythm sticks:

   1. Stack or bundle several twigs, craft sticks, or chopsticks, and glue them together.

   2. Have a grown up cut and sand dowels, or found branches, to the correct dimensions listed above.

   3. Use kitchen utensils like wooden spoons or spatulas.

2. Decorate your rhythm sticks using paints and markers. If you have glued pieces together, it is recommended to secure the rhythm sticks by decorating with string, yarn, or washi tape.

3. Watch the Count Beats! video and count and tap along using the rhythm sticks on a solid (safe) surface.

4. Use the guiding questions to think about how the beats are being tapped out. The rhythm of the music is helping to pace out each beat – they are not random and they are coming at a steady or expected speed (this is the “tempo”). Think about the messages that your brain is sending your body in order to create the sounds at the right time, see if you can help your body make its own rhythm and pace by breathing in and out and tapping along with each breath.

Guiding Questions

• How do you know when to make the next beat?

• How can you match your breath to the rhythm you are making? If you tap softer or harder, how does it change how you breathe when you make the beats? Does it make you feel like breathing or tapping slower or faster?

• Can you make your own pattern with your beats? What feelings do different patterns make you feel?

• Can you do the same rhythm in front of you? What about on the left side? Right side? Can you make the same beats behind you? Can you cross your hands and make the beats? (This engages both hemispheres of the brain, which strengthens neural pathways and allows for easier transfer of information between the two. Tasks that include cross lateral connectivity promote overall improved brain function for better learning and thinking).

Extensions

• Practice counting to 10, skip count by twos, and use the rhythm sticks to count higher numbers.

• Practice word syllables with your rhythm sticks. Notice how your breath and your voice have to sync to create each sound in the word.

• Take turns making up your own beat, and have the other participants replicate the same beat.

• Put on your favorite music and try to tap the rhythm of the song. Think about how your favorite song makes you feel as you listen and make the beats.

• Make up your own simple songs using rhyming words, and tap out a beat using your rhythm sticks.

• Rhythm and music are helpful for memorization, use the rhythm sticks to practice memorizing your phone number, address, or to learn to spell short two- or three-letter words.