Hello,

I've been asked to teach a six week drumming program for children at a local indoor play space, and could use some fresh ideas.

The program is broken into three different classes for the following age levels:

- 6 mo to 2 yrs old (w/ parent participation) - 35 minutes
- 3 to 5 yrs old (w/parent participation) - 45 minutes
- "big kids', ages 6 to 11 yrs old (parents drop off) - 1 hour

The equipment I'll be using for these classes are three gathering drums, several hand drums and various types of shakers, scrapers and rhythm sticks. I also have other different drums that I'd like to introduce and share with the kids, such as native american drums, Indian Tablas, Peruvian Cajons, and a traditional trap set that I'll probably set up on the final day to share with the bigger kids.

If anyone here has taught drumming specifically to groups of kids, what activities did you find were most fun?
Can you recommend any websites or resources related to drumming and children - for me as a teacher... as well as for parents?

I envision this being something like a community drum circle class, but would like to plan some sort of outline in advance to present to parents as well as a structure for me to follow in planning my lessons. Of course, drum circles are free form in nature but it helps to plan in advance cohesive, focused activities to keep children on task. Plus, I find that parents of small children - esp at-home parents - are hungry for information. They really appreciate any extra tips and resources an educator can give them at these sorts of "mommy and me' classes, that they can use beyond the classroom. What I hope to inspire is a love for music making and expression, as well as a positive stress release for my students. Drumming is so beneficial, and I know a class like this will be a great experience!

My background: I'm a Licensed Kindermusik educator with a long, prior career in the alternative/avant scene... I play various instruments, but always connected mostly to drums. Kindermusik is a whole child approach to music and movement education. For the last four years I've taught weekly classes to babies, toddlers, preschoolers and young children, as well as "other abled' children with autism, down syndrome, apraxia etc at a local music school for children. I also facilitate an intergenerational music class for little ones and elders at an assisted living facility.

Any advice for developing a new drumming program for kids would be put to positive use, and most appreciated..
Thank you!

PS: I will be cross posting this in some of my other tribes...