Dd is for Drum
With a kindergartener, preschooler, & younger sibling.
— April 15, 2024
Welcome to a peak inside what homeschool could look like for your 3 year old. Monday through Thursday we review and incorporate a fun learning activity. This week is all about the letter “D”, drums, and rhythm.
The week of Dd is for Drum ties in math, a craft, and classical poetry all into one theme – drums! Go to Dd is for Drum for full details and instructions on every activity. This post is designed to inspire you to incorporate structured learning time for your preschooler by seeing an example of how our weekly schedule plays out. You’ll find additional activity ideas, coloring pages, the free printable, and book suggestions. These all center around the theme of drums to fully immerse your child in the experience.
Dd is for Drum is a part of a larger program that Playing for Hours offers entirely free. It’s designed to be play based and flexible to encourage every family to include their preschooler in structured learning time. Don’t homeschool? You’ll find educational and engaging activities for your child here as well.
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Here is a glimpse at how the fourth letter of the week played out in our home.
Our week day-by-day
Monday Highlight: Read books about drums or with a beat
Pokko and the Drum by Matthew Forsythe is my absolute favorite book this week. So of course we began with it and a few other themed books on the couch. Afterwards, I introduced Mick, who is 3 years old, to his new letter – “Dd.” This is done with a train car from the wall display printable you can get here, Train Wall Display. Also available at that link are two other wall displays, featuring acorns and a caterpillar.
After he finishes coloring it, he hangs it on the wall next to the letter “Cc” and then we sing the alphabet, pointing to the first four letters of the alphabet before simply dancing and making the rest of the song fun.
We finished the lesson during Mo’s, little brother, nap because I didn’t want Mick to be distracted while practicing his numbers 0-10. Apple Math is an excellent way to teach your preschooler number recognition and is introduced the first week of Letter of the Week so that it can be used for all the letters.
Tuesday Highlight: Drum Patterns
To review today we used our wooden alphabet puzzle. This time though, I changed it up. I only provided Mick with the first four letters of the alphabet. The other twenty-two letters were left stashed away in the closet. Going forward, I will only provide him with the letters he has learned so we can compact the amount of letters he’s handling for easier retention. I began with all twenty-six letters because I still wanted to provide a full understanding of what the alphabet is.
After review with letters: A, B, C, and D using the puzzle and on the wall display we read the themed poem suggestions during the morning basket.
Now it was time for the activity Drum Patterns. Mick has been introduced to patterns before with an abacus and using counting bears. This activity was slightly more challenging and more importantly I allowed him to guide himself. By handing him two cards at a time and stepping away I was able to clean up the kitchen and encourage him to practice independent learning. I also enjoy using drums for this free printable because a drum carries the beat of a song, which is the repeating, underlying pattern. If you wish to get this printable for yourself or see how to teach your preschooler all about patterns go to How to teach your 3-4 year old all about patterns.
Wednesday Highlight: Make a homemade drum
The most highly anticipated day of this week for my boys. We began with a review as usual using the wall display and then read our themed books during the morning basket. Once Mo went down for his nap we were ready to make the homemade drums. To read full instructions, check out this post, How to make a homemade drum.
Marty and Mick colored the first coloring page while listening to Wipe Out by The Beach Boys. This song is one of few that features a drum solo. During this time I assembled the materials.
I demonstrated the craft by making my own drum because I knew Mo would want one also. The boys followed the steps as I completed them and requested help when needed. The boys painted the barrels of the drums and then we left them to dry. The boys were able to play with them that afternoon but I was conscientious of where they were so that I could gather them up for Thursday’s activity.
Thursday Highlight: Marching Song by Robert Louis Stevenson
The most highly anticipated day of this week for me. I enjoy this day because we get to recite a classical poem by Robert Louis Stevenson. This poem was one of the first works of poetry I came to appreciate. Simply, because I read it aloud.
We began with morning basket on the couch and then moved to reviewing with four letters from the alphabet puzzle. After, the boys colored the last coloring page and then it was time to march.
Mick had kept his drum close by him all morning and was ready to go. They formed a line with Mick in the lead and away we went marching. I recited the poem Marching Song from A Child’s Garden of Verses. The boys enjoyed a few laps around the house with many recitations of the poem.
Friday
Fridays are reserved for our homeschool co-op nature group. No formal Letter of the Week lessons -just the great outdoors and curious minds.
Minimal prep work for Dd is for Drum
This week took a little prep work. I needed to remember to save cans to make drums out of, you can also move them to another container if necessary. Also, I had to prepare the pattern activity. I completed this preparation last week while my kids played with the butterfly life cycle printable and toys. Be sure to check that out here.
A little preparation and we had an engaging play based learning environment that my preschooler and kindergartener loved. I hope you feel inspired to craft a drum and march to the beat of a classical poem. If so, let me know in the comments if your child enjoyed all of it as much as my three and five year old.
To learn more about the themed letters for Letter of the Week click the button below.
Our week at a glance:
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