Rhythm Sticks

This month for toddler story time I put on my brave face and brought out our collection of rhythm sticks. I’ll be honest parents–I wasn’t sure how this would go over with the toddler crew. Would the sticks be used for evil instead of good? Would they take flight across the room? Would a wee one poke their eye?

Photograph of rhythm sticks
To my relief, using rhythm sticks turned out great! The toddlers were so excited to try out something new. They tapped, made noise and used them to drum on the floor. And, best of all, there were no accidents. Rhythm sticks will for sure become a part of my regular rotation of story time fun.

The benefits of using rhythm sticks with young children are endless. Rhythm sticks:

  • Increase hand-eye coordination.
  • Improve gross and fine motor skills.
  • Help children identify the beat and rhythm of songs and words.

Thanks to Jbrary.com, I was able to find some great rhymes and songs to use with the rhythm sticks. Below are some that I tried out in story time.

This Is the Way We Tap Our Sticks

This is the way we tap our sticks,
Tap our sticks, tap our sticks,
This is the way we tap our sticks,
So 
early in the morning.

Other verses:
This is the way we rub our sticks.
This is the way we tap them soft.
This is the way we scrape them soft.
This is the way we tap the floor.
This is the way we tap our shoes.

Bread and Butter

Bread and butter, marmalade and jam,
Let’s tap our sticks as nice as we can!
Verses: quick, slow, quiet, loud

Tap Your Sticks

Tap your sticks,
Tap your sticks,
One, two, three,
One, two, three,
Can you tap your sticks,
Can your tap your sticks,
Just like me,
Just like me.

Tap your sticks,
Tap your sticks,
Way up high,
Way up high.
No-w, bend down,
No-w, bend down,
Tap the ground,
Tap the ground.

If you don’t have any rhythm sticks at home, check out our Little Red Reading Bag F: Music and Movement. This kit not only has rhythm sticks, but also has egg shakers and dancing scarves!