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The Heart of the Circle: A Guide to Drumming
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Drumming With Kids
Kids are instinctive drummers! Who hasn't seen some little one pounding away on the tray table of a high chair with whatever implement they can get their hands on?
There are many different programs around to introduce children to rhythm and music. If you need some guidance, you might find what you're looking for at Music Together, "Music for newborns-preschoolers, and the adults who love them."
But don't feel like you must have some special skills to start drumming with the kids you know. Just show up with your heart, your good intention, musical instruments if you have them, or whatever you can find in your kitchen cabinets...
Start with songs the kids already know. I've lost track of how many times we've played Old McDonald's Farm on my Mother Drum, Heart of Peace.
Set some simple guidelines about respect for one another and for the drum. As the kids get more familiar and comfortable with the setting, you can bring in more and more elements from your own tradition, to create practices that enrich your many ways of teaching--and learning from--the kids in your life.
