Create Your Beat!

Family Adventure

GOAL:  Learn about beat, rhythm and enjoy some fun time together as a family.

The ADVENTURE:

Review the information about drum circles and then hold a family drum circle.

TIPS:

Encourage kids to be creative and design their own drums. Provide them with the materials to do so

Notice and acknowledge internal beat and rhythm

 Recognize unique qualities of each family members' drumming and let them know you 'see' and 'hear' them

RESOURCES

Drum circles provide an opportunity for family members to feel connected with others and gain a sense of interpersonal support. A drum circle provides an opportunity to connect with your own spirit at a deeper level. Group drumming alleviates self-centeredness, isolation and alienation.

Family drum circles are a great way for kids and adults to bond. From age 0-99, drumming is an activity that everyone can participate in, no matter what level of experience. Through rhythm exploration with drums and percussion instruments, families can be making music and having fun together in no time! Families can also use games and storytelling to engage each member of the family, and kids can not only participate, but can easily lead the group!

For this Adventure take time to sit down as a family and enjoy your own Family Drum Circle experience.

Feel the Beat!!

HEALTH BENEFITS OF DRUMMING

The health benefits of drumming are increasingly being researched and documented. Scientific studies have shown that group drumming on a regular basis can:

🥁 Boost the immune system

🥁Reduce stress

🥁Synchronize the left and right brain hemispheres, which allows for deeper self awareness and creativity

🥁Support the production of endorphins

🥁Increase alpha waves which allows relaxation

🥁Release or transform negative feelings

🥁Invite present moment awareness

🥁Drumming is being used in a wide variety of health care settings to help people with cancer, Parkinson’s, Dementia, Alzheimers, ADD, addiction, depression and trauma.

Drumming is an excellent tool for supporting wellness in individuals and communities. Every human being has a heart beating like a drum. The pulse of life comes from each heart beat. When our rhythms are in sync, we feel better about ourselves. When our rhythms align to positive energy, we are uplifted. When our rhythms are given expression, our creativity awakens.

As rhythmic beings, we know rhythm inside and out. Our essential nature vibrates to the unique tune of our own body. When we are in harmony with ourselves, we have good health. When we are in harmony with others, we have healthy communities. Harmony is accessible and achievable!

By setting the intention, creating the space, issuing the invitation, and welcoming each family member to PLAY DRUMS, an energy is unleashed. Suddenly individuals feel part of something bigger and are empowered to express themselves – tapping in to their own rhythm and tuning in to the harmony of the group.

The ripples that go out from intentional community drumming and music making, like pebbles in a pond, go on and on and intersect with one another, creating new ripples and rhythms and vibrations, carrying their sonic thumbprint of harmony and wellness wherever they go.

Rhythm is our internal gage for harmony. Drumming is the tool. Take time to discover and maintain your families' wellness rhythms through this family drumming experience and let the ripples you create bring joy to the world one beat, one rhythm, one harmonic convergence at a time.

Enjoy making your own drums for the family drum circle. Depending on the materials you choose, this can also provide an opportunity for family members to use their creativity and design their own drums.

HOMEMADE DRUM IDEAS

Here are a couple of fun ideas for building your homemade drums:

🥁My favorite is a wooden frame wrapped in packing tape. Family members can decorate their wood frame before they wrap the drum. This simple drum and your hands can provide hours and hours of fun.

🥁Buckets and bowls make great drums. Use different types of utensils to explore the different sounds you get.

🥁Material ideas for the part of the drum you hit:  balloons, faux leather, packing tape

🥁Material ideas for what to 'strike' the drum with: hands, utensils, piece of wood, pencil

The sky is the limit . . . and there are lots of opportunities for learning and exploration.  Don't worry if you try something and it doesn't work. What a great opportunity to learn what doesn't work!   Enjoy the process and the opportunity to draw closer as a family through this Adventure.

Pre-K Adventure

Let little adventurers explore drumming with household items during their play time (EX: a wooden spoon and a bowl)

Community Engagement Adventure

Organize a community drum circle or drum making event

Teen Adventure

Encourage teens to write their own drum routine and perform for the family.

Photo Location

Take a picture of you and your family doing your drum circle and post it to your social media sites with the hashtags #drumcircle, #HarmonyArts, #MyDiscoveryDestination and #Wattson.