"The Fire Drum!"
Keeping the beat with clapping hands or slapping knees is second nature at this point. Now the children have a chance to step into the leadership role and take turns being the leader of keeping the beat.
Keeping the beat is obviously important when it comes to participating in musical activities, at school and elsewhere, but what are the broader benefits?
A study by Phyllis Weikert showed that being “able to keep a steady beat helps a person to feel the cadence (rhythm) of language.” According to www.earlychildhoodnews.com, keeping a beat can also affect a child's sense of equilibrium, which has many benefits in terms bodily control and awareness. This equilibrium also helps spacial relationships, which in turn has athletic, artistic, and mathematical implications.
So, as hard as keeping the beat is, (see videos) it's important to keep on keeping on.
As you watch, keep in mind this was their very first day ... that being said, I think they did splendidly. Enjoy.
As for William, his seven sons, and what exactly they did ... you'll have to stay tuned.
