Using reading to reinforce rhythm is a great cross-curricular activity. Grab some shakers, rhythm sticks, wooden spoons, or your clapping hands and start playing along to these five books to a beat! If you want to get really precise with your beats, you can pull up an online metronome to read to here.
Brown Bear Brown Bear
(Check out a musical reading of this book here.)
Brown Bear, Brown Bear is a book I vividly remember from my own childhood, a memory that is likely not unique to me. This book was just magically always in classroom, libraries, and playrooms. When I was pregnant with our first child, I remember thinking about reading the baby the story and wondering if I’d have to buy it or if it would just appear in the baby’s new room (spoiler: we got three at the baby shower). But anyway, this story naturally falls into a rhythm that you and your child can play a steady beat to throughout.
Clap Your Hands
(Check out a musical reading of this book here.)
This song is fun because it also includes different directions. It allows you to change the way you tap each beat; you can clap your hands, pat your head, stomp your feet.
Hands Hands Fingers Thumb
(Check out a musical reading of this book here.)
If you happen to have any bongos around, this is a great time to bring it out! If not, the top of a pot works, too.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
(Check out a musical reading of this book here.)
This was another one that I thought just appeared in home libraries. I did end up buying this one.
The Three Little Kittens
(Check out a musical reading of this book here.)
This one has some more singing involved, but I still find myself only singing this book.
We’d love to hear from you! What are some other books with a beat you use in your home or classroom?
