DRUMMING ON A DRUM

Read books about drums or with a beat.

Pokko and the Drum by Matthew Forsythe is my absolute favorite book this week.

Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb by Al Perkins is a much loved book by my boys.

Lastly, Drum Dream Girl by Margarita Engle and Music is for Everyone by Jill Barber are excellent choices.

Mini unit study: Music activities for preschoolers at home.

To learn more about each activity or retrieve the free printable be sure to check out Dd is for Drum or follow the links provided.

Music Activities for Preschoolers #1: Drum Patterns

I love using a drum theme for this free printable because a drum carries the beat of a song, which is the repeating, underlying pattern. In short, patterns and drums just go together! My preschooler has been introduced to patterns before with an abacus and using counting bears. Since this activity is slightly more challenging you’ll want to make sure that you have done some prep work on math patterns with your child. To read more about introducing patterns to preschoolers and to receive this free printable check out the post, How to teach your 3-4 year old all about patterns.

Music Activities for Preschoolers #2: Make a homemade drum

The most highly anticipated day of this week for my boys is getting to make a craft drum. To read full instructions, check out this post, How to make a homemade drum.

Marty and Mick colored the first coloring page from Dd is for Drum 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. He is my youngest and usually naps during these activities for my middle son. My oldest boys followed the steps as I completed them and requested help when needed. Then the boys painted the barrels of the drums and 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 another activity.

Music Activities for Preschoolers #3: Marching Song by Robert Louis Stevenson

Overall, this activity is my favorite. 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. If you’re curious why poetry is needed in your homeschool and then how to effortlessly weave it in you can read this post here, Poetry in your homeschool.

Mick, my middle son, had kept his drum close by him all morning and was ready to go when I called the boys to me. They formed a line with Mick in the lead and then 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.