Last week we discussed why steady beat matters and the benefits it brings. We know that steady beat feeds into developmental milestones, but what about how it’s affecting your child? The next step is assessing competency and determining how to take it to the next level.
While babies can express steady beat competency, when it comes to school readiness, looking for success between ages 3-5 is key.
- Observe their natural reactions to music. Do they tap, clap, or dance in time?
- See if they can match your steady beat. Clap a steady beat while saying, “clap, clap, clap…” and encourage them to clap with you. Can they match your beat?
- Notice how they play with instruments. Provide simple instruments (like egg shakers) or homemade ones (like a pot and wooden spoon) to play along to the music. Can they play along to the beat closely or exactly?
- Test call and response. Sometimes called “echo games,” encourage your child(ren) to repeat your words to mimic steady beat through language rather than movement. The chant “Parrot Talk” on the Kindermusik app is an easy and fun activity to try.
Here’s the most important part of any assessment: make it fun! Musical play should be naturally joyful—not forced— so that even when you’re silently observing, everyone is having a good time.
Remember, in all aspects of whole-child development, it’s about progress not perfection.
Some children may be able to recognize steady beat and be able to express it externally around two or three years old, while others may develop this skill later. Encouraging learning steady beat in joyful musical play is one stress-free way to meet those school readiness checklists head-on.
*Reposted in part from Kindermusik International
