Lesson Focus: Musical Patterning

If young children ruled the world, daily life would follow a predictable AB pattern: Play, Eat, Play, Eat, Play, Eat. However, even world leaders need to sleep, take a potty break, and brush teeth. So, as a parent, you add a few more of those things to your child’s daily routine, creating a pattern that works for your family.

In Kindermusik, we lead children to experience patterns through movement, listening, and playing instruments. When we step, step, step, stop through the rainforest or ta, ta, ta, rest with rhythm sticks, your child is learning rhythm patterns (quarter note, quarter note, quarter note, rest), a basic musical concept.  Rhythm patterns are combinations of long and short sounds and silences. Your child’s whole body involvement with patterning not only lays an early foundation for reading music but also for math and literacy…and maybe even world leadership one day!

Everyday connection: DO play with your food. Give your child two small snacks, such as pretzels and blueberries. Make patterns with the food and then sing or clap it together. Add a third item as a “rest.” Example: pretzel (hand clap), pretzel (hand clap), blueberry (wave), cracker (shh!). Enjoy eating the patterns you make together.