So why is repetition important?  Many adults like to listen to the same music over and over.  It gets in our heads and into our hearts.  Music reminds of times and experiences- it evokes emotions and memories.  Music is the soundtrack of our lives.  Children begin experiencing this in infancy (many would say they really begin experiencing this in the womb.)  My own children were soothed by familiar music and showed signs of music recognition as early as a few weeks old.

Repetition in listening is one way that we can encourage music appreciation but we can also use repetition as a means of experiencing beats and tempos.  When you clap 3 times and then ask the children to repeat what you did, they follow the number of beats (3) and the speed at which you clapped (tempo).  This activity is great because very, very young children can participate, while you can make this much more complicated for older children.  Older children also like to create the beats and the tempo while others follow them.

In children’s music, you can hear the regular beats of the rhythm.  Take the Barney Song (I Love You).  If you sing this song to yourself, and clap along with the beat you will see that it is a regular, even beat through the first part and then it quickens near the middle and then regulates at the end.

I love you.  (3 beats)

You love me. (3 beats)

We’re a happy family. (7 beats)

With a great big hug and a kiss from me to you. (3 beats quick, 3 beats slow, 6 beats quick)

Won’t you say you love me too? (7 beats)

Next time you sing this with the kids, have them clap on the beat and see if they hear the rhythm.  If you have rhythm sticks, they can also clap their sticks together to the beat of the music.  Try this with several songs and see which ones have clear and steady beats.

Often, the rhythm of the beat occurs as a pattern.  Clapping to the beat will encourage the children to explore the pattern of music to see that the rhythm repeats (pattern)