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Kids, Communication and Drumming

By Solomon Masala · Wednesday, March 14th, 2018

Kids, Communication and Drumming

Communication is one of the most valuable skills a child can master, from the earliest words of a baby to the graduation speech of a high school valedictorian. Speech, communication and language skills are often used to measure the progress of children through school, and are all necessary skills that will enhance the future prospects of children as they grow into adults. As research has shown, it is these skills that may be surprisingly linked to the study and practice of music and rhythm, and that the beat of a drum may be the key to overcoming communication and language difficulties with children.

For years, music programs have been included in schools for the value they provide as creative outlets and the enhancement of math and other academic skills. Music is a form of communication that depends on rhythm. As such, the act of drumming with kids becomes important as it can be used in a variety of ways to develop and enhance communication and language skills, from reading to speaking and more.

When kids drum, they are stimulating the brain through following a rhythm and the physical act of drumming itself. These students are able to non-verbally communicate a wide range of emotions, explore the expression of their own personalities and ultimately, learn the rhythm of communication with peers and adults. Drumming with kids not only provides an atmosphere for modeling effective communication, but increases the value of speech and language in daily activities. Plus, as a recent study has shown, adolescents that are better able to understand and participate in a rhythm exercise also have a better grasp of language and communication skills.

While communication may come in many forms, it is perhaps the ability to speak clearly and effectively that is one of the most common measures of accomplishment when it comes to academic, social and personal success. Through drumming, rhythm and music programs in our schools, we are helping our children gain valuable skills that will enhance their own ability to understand language and communicate effectively. By continuing to promote these necessary skills, we are encouraging the success of our children throughout school, as well as in the world beyond the classroom.

Source: Ability To Keep A Beat Linked To Language Skills

Categories : Education

Interactive Drumming for Homeschoolers

By Solomon Masala · Wednesday, March 14th, 2018

Homeschooling offers children a lot of benefits when it comes to education, and is a viable alternative to public or private school for families across the country. Since a home education offers the ability to tailor educational goals to each student, the possibilities are endless when it comes to finding fun, unique and creative ways to teach curriculum. Drumming with kids brings these methods full circle, with the activity of drumming easily creating an atmosphere of excitement, learning and more.

While many see homeschooling as an activity that occurs in the home, the truth is that many homeschoolers attend group programs with other homeschooled children that help enhance the core curriculum taught at home. These group activities are the perfect place to include drumming into the studies, as the lessons taught in drumming are more than about music and rhythm.

Interactive drumming with kids gives them the ability to communicate with others in the group environment, helping to build a team of kids who may need to feel a sense of belonging with peers. It also gives these kids the chance to explore their own individual creativity and develop a better sense of the self. Discovering the many ways that drums and rhythm combine together is a roadmap for children to see how their own unique contribution is just as valid to the outcome as any other, and, for kids who are home schooled, this realization may allow for a growth in self-esteem as they see their own part reflected in the sum of the whole event.

Additionally to all of the social and personal benefits of interactive drumming with kids, the action of drumming itself can be applied to all sorts of curriculum goals. It is perfect for a hand-on display of time and math, for lessons in culture and history, language arts or the science involved in the drums themselves. And, of course, drumming is music, art and creativity and can be a very important form of self-expression for any child. The lessons that drumming can bring to a homeschooler are limitless, and in a group environment, those lessons can take on a new life for each child.

Homeschooling a child is a challenging experience on all fronts, but, it is these parents and caregivers who are determined to foster their children’s gifts on their own terms. With a little help from some drums and the spirit of adventure, homeschooling kids and teachers may find an interactive and enriching way to learn.

Don’t forget to download Kenya’s free e-book, Rhythm Play. Its perfect for anyone looking for a way to start drumming with kids!

Categories : Education
Tags : drumming for homeschool, homeschool, homeschool activities, homeschool learning

Right Brain-Left Brain Drumming Benefits for Kids

By Solomon Masala · Wednesday, March 14th, 2018

Many studies have been performed on the different ways a brain functions. One of the most common is the strengths of each hemisphere of the brain, or, the common argument of “right brain and left brain” thinking. Since brain development happens at its highest level during childhood, there are definite benefits to harnessing the powers of each side of the brain during this time. By drumming with kids, each side of the brain can be accessed, encouraging more than a love of rhythm, but, development of learning styles and skills that can last a lifetime.

The “left brain” encompasses a more logical approach to thinking. The left side of the brain is what processes time, math, sequences, spoken and written language. It is practical, measured and critical, and understands tactile stimulus. Drumming is able to reach this side of the brain through the measured action of rhythm, and the sense of touch as a kid plays a structured beat on a drum. Left brain thinking adores drumming for its steady foundation of time and space, which is an avenue for encouraging skills based in logic and math, as well as the natural rhythm of communication and languages.

The “right brain” is best thought of as the creative, intuitive side of thinking. As the first stop for music and artistic purposes, the right brain is also where a child’s visual motor skills are best reached. The right side of the brain enjoys thinking outside the box, and revel in new ideas and concepts, plus, the right brain is responsible for multi-tasking. Drumming with kids stimulates the right brain through the creativity of drumming – from the variety of drums used, to the various rhythms, to the experience of drumming with other drummers. From there, the brain is better able to use complex, abstract thinking in order to solve problems and more, benefitting creative pursuits and even scientific discoveries.

A true benefit of drumming for right brain and left brain thinkers is that through rhythm and the action of drumming, both sides of the brain are accessed at one time. When kids drum, they are increasing the functionality between both sides of the brain, which benefits them in school and on the playground. Increasing the ability of children to perform well academically and to make positive relationship connections is not only important for self-esteem and youth development, but, also serves to make stronger adults. Through this brainy teamwork, drumming with kids helps build skills and abilities that can only increase the brightness of their future, from the rock stars to the rocket scientists, and everywhere in between.

Categories : Education
Tags : drumming with kids, rhythm games, rhythm programs, right brain activities

Incorporating Drumming into Gifted Education

By Solomon Masala · Wednesday, March 14th, 2018

Parenting a gifted child can be an exceptional adventure in creativity and dedication, perhaps even teaching a parent more than a child. When looking at a child with special “gifts,” there is a challenge involved in creating a way for that child to explore and grow within the area (or, areas) he or she is already excelling. There is also the challenge of allowing these children to experience a sense of normalcy in a world where peers or other adults may not completely understand a child’s maturity in math, music or even soccer, for example. Drumming with kids gives parents, teachers and caregivers the ability to access a gifted child on a different level, while still maintaining a community spirit that is also essential for the overall growth and development of the child.

Different educational theories and practices are devoted to the encouragement and development of gifted children. Many of these try to combine creative thinking with normal academic pursuits, giving gifted children the ability to “think outside the box,” which is a natural product of drumming with kids. Kids who drum are accessing various areas of the brain, stimulating their gifts into greater heights and all other supporting skills simultaneously. Through the combination of music, rhythm and the physical act of drumming, gifted children are not only building further on their own strengths, but, are also given a creative and tactile release, which can be important for reducing anxiety and fears.

For gifted education teachers, a program that includes drumming with kids is in compliance with the Gifted Programming Standards defined by the National Association for Gifted Children. Through drumming, any teacher is able to assess a child’s need for gifted education, develop key milestones in a multicultural setting, evaluate and further increase his or her own contributions to gifted education. All of this benefits gifted children, their teachers and instructors, and the educational environment as a whole.

All in all, the gifts of any child are amazing to behold, and for those children who don’t quite fit the mold, it is important to provide unique activities and pursuits that celebrate individuality. Drumming with kids who are exceptional not only shows your own appreciation of their strengths and challenges, but, it is an activity that will encourage growth in all areas of academics and life beyond the classroom.

Categories : Education
Tags : arts integration, drumming education, drumming programs, gifted learners, school drumming

Children, Learning Styles and Drumming

By Solomon Masala · Wednesday, March 14th, 2018

Learning styles are a familiar concept to teachers, educators and parents as children continue to learn through a wide range of experiences that stimulate various parts of the brain. The thought behind learning styles is simple: some people learn better through a visual and social environment, while others may benefit from a solitary, tactile experience, and still others prefer a more pragmatic or logical learning environment. Children even learn different subjects better through the different learning styles, making the entire study of how we all learn a fascinating exploration of the brain.

The act of drumming with kids explores the ability to apply each of the seven learning styles to any subject being studied. Beyond the benefits of building communication skills, drumming with kids provides a full-range of experiences that can benefit comprehension and even summative (testing) goals, or even help access areas of the brain that could increase the effectiveness of a certain learning style. For example, the visual aspects of drumming can stimulate the occipital and parietal lobes, making “typical” classroom instruction better for those children who struggle with understanding and assimilating information available on a chalkboard.

Verbal learners, as well as aural learners, have the natural tendency to understand the rhythm of language and the music of drumming easier than others. When kids use drums in the classroom, even just through listening to drumming or music, these linguistic abilities are enhanced as the rhythm reaches the temporal lobes in the brain, providing a foundation for success in all academic areas through language development, comprehension and mastery.

Physical and tactile learners are able to stimulate the cerebellum and minor cortex of the brain, meaning, as we drum with kids, are helping them open up to receive academic knowledge and information. In addition, logical learners can understand the concept of time as it relates to a drum or rhythm, stimulating the parietal lobe, where it just “makes sense” to have a steady beat. Coincidentally, it is the parietal lobe that is the mainstay of visual learners.

The final learning styles are social and solitary learners, both of which are natural drummers, in terms of community and creative expression. Social learners and solitary learners both feel the rhythm of learning through drumming. These children, whether in an interactive drumming environment, or alone, are stimulating the frontal lobes and limbic system, which also has the benefit of reaching into the emotions and behaviors of the kids who drum. In the group environment, children are learning through both styles, as both community (social) drumming and individuality (solitary) can be a part of the experience.

Whether a child learns best through physical learning or alone with a book, the benefits of drumming with kids can apply to all learning styles. For teachers, educators and parents looking for a different way to enhance or build skills in a child, perhaps picking up a drum will be an ally in the education of our children.

Categories : Education
Tags : drumming with kids, learning styles, multiple intelligences, rhythm programs
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