Activity Idea: Can You Hear the Beat?

Kindergarten QuickSource® reminds us that "Fine Arts support all areas of development and allows the child to foster creativity and imagination. By painting a picture, singing a song or participating in a dance, a child can express her thoughts and feelings."

Here's an activity called Can You Hear The Beat? that encourages children to participate in musical activities and demonstrates beat, rhythm and dynamics. Before you begin, gather your materials: Empty toilet tissue rolls, enough for at least one per child; various colors of paint and brushes; pebbles or uncooked beans; and heavy-duty tape.

Let's Get Started!
1) Allow each child to paint the outside of a craft roll. Allow the rolls to dry overnight.

2) Help each child place tape over one end of the painted roll.

3) Help the child place a handful of beans inside the roll, then tape the other end trapping the beans (or pebbles) inside.

4) Using the rolls as a shaker, help the children discover the beat of a familiar song.

If using POCET™, this activity correlates to Developmental Guidelines: CA4: Recognizes and moves to different musical beats.


For more developmentally-appropriate activities, visit Teacher QuickSource® and browse through all age areas, including Preschool, Kindergarten, Infant & Toddler, and Head Start. Don't forget to explore activities promoting environmental awareness at Environmental QuickSource®.