Rhythm
Physical
Items needed: a variety of rhythm instruments, a CD player, and an upbeat CD or two.
Gather participants around the table. Greet each one by name as you look into their eyes and touch their hands.
Bring out the box of instruments and introduce them to the individuals, one at a time. Hand the instruments to each participant and ask them to hold it or feel it or shake it to make a noise. Share the name of the instrument. Do this with each instrument until all are out of the box and lying on the table with the box on the floor.
Start the music and encourage each participant to grasp an instrument. If a strong, shaking grasp is not possible, perhaps the individual could play the xylophone or the drum. If there is no grasp at all the facilitator can play the instrument very close to the individual so he or she can clearly hear that specific one.
Encourage participants to listen to the music, for the stop and start of the different pieces. If you are playing old favorite songs (such as ElderSong) sing along. Even individuals who never talk will often sing along to old familiar songs.
Have fun. Play and sing. Take a break and swap instruments and then play and sing some more. Get them involved!
Cognitive
Items required: instruments from the rhythm band. Large pictures of the instruments (actual enlarged photos or hand drawn and colored. )
Keep all instruments off the table. Present only two at a time and place them in front of the first participant. Ask that individual to give you one of the instruments, “Give me the tambourine”. Present an open palm so the participant knows you want something placed in your hand. Do not take an incorrect response, simply draw your hand away and repeat, “Give me the TAMBOURINE”.
Present the pictures of the instruments one at a time. Ask participants to name the instrument or to locate the instrument from those on the table. Move the pictures close to each player so they can focus on the representation more easily.
Before leaving this Montessori group, put the music back on and play the instruments through one or two songs before saying thank you and good-bye.
