Rhythm and Pulse Reception Notations - The drum game and copy me

The Drum Game is a dynamic activity designed to enhance children's listening and responding skills through rhythmic play. Children gather in a circle or group, and the game begins with a simple concept: they clap their hands to a slow pulse played on the drum, tap their knees to a faster pulse, and make 'roly poly hands' to the fastest drumming. When the drumming stops, the children stop as well. Initially, the instructor calls out the actions, but as the children grow more confident, they are expected to follow the changes in drumming without verbal cues, demonstrating their attentive listening.

As an extension to The Drum Game, the activity can be modified to include slower pulses for which children can create their own actions, or rhythm patterns that they must match by tapping their knees or clapping hands to the corresponding patterns. This can be adapted to suit the group's ability level, making it as straightforward or intricate as necessary. The 'Copy Me' game is another versatile exercise that focuses on maintaining a steady pulse. Children mirror a series of actions performed by the instructor, starting with eight repetitions and potentially reducing to four or two, to help them anticipate changes. Counting aloud gradually transitions to silent counting, internalising the rhythm. Eventually, children can lead the game, provided they have a sufficient repertoire of actions. These activities serve as a prelude to games like 'Everybody do this' or 'We will copy you', offering children a foundation of actions to draw upon.