August Early Literacy tip

Bang, Shake, and Tap with Percussion Instruments

Help your child be an active musician by providing simple percussion instruments such as bells, sticks, shakers, and drums.  Your wooden spoon and a shoe box can become a drum or an empty container filled with dry beans can serve as a shaker.  Playing with rhythm helps tune the brain’s attention to patterns which are critical to math and reading skills later on.  In addition, keeping a beat and handling instruments of all sorts helps children with muscular development and coordination.