Music Patterns: Strengthen Executive Function with Rhythm Play

This article is part of our weekly series Executive Function Tips for Families.

Get Ready to Clap, Tap, and Have Fun with Patterns!

Parents, do you have time on your hands? If so, put those hands together for quick pattern playtime that helps develop your child’s executive function (EF) skills. In this game called “Music Patterns”, children practice clapping and tapping patterns which improves their ability to focus, control impulses, and think flexibly—all while having fun.

Before We Continue: What is Executive Function?

It might be surprising to hear that clapping can improve your child’s focus and impulse control, but science shows it’s true! Executive Function (EF) is a set of essential brain skills, including working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility, that depend in part on our brain’s ability to control our bodies. These skills help us plan, focus, follow directions, and shift our thinking when needed. Building these skills early on sets the foundation for lifelong learning and success. Read on to see how this game helps build EF skills.

This Game Builds the Following EF Skills:

Selective Attention: Your child needs to focus on the rhythm patterns you produce, tuning out other distractions.

Inhibitory Control: Regular pauses in the game help your child practice stopping when necessary, keeping them in the moment.

Cognitive Flexibility: As the patterns change, your child will need to adapt, predict, and keep up with new sequences, which builds mental agility.

What You’ll Need:

Time: 15 minutes
Space: A medium-sized room with clear floor space
Materials: Although optional, these instruments can make the game more engaging:
- Rhythm sticks
- Percussion instruments
- Tambourine

Ready to Play? Game Levels and Step-by-Step Instructions:

This game works well for both individuals and small groups. Start with an appropriate level based on your child’s age, and gradually move to higher levels as they improve.

Game Level 1 – Clap and Stop (Ages 2-3):

Sit down with your child and explain, “Can you follow me? I’m going to clap, clap, clap, and then STOP.”
Demonstrate clapping a few times and stopping.
Encourage your child to mimic your clapping and stopping.
Repeat with varying numbers of claps before stopping until they can follow along with ease.

Game Level 2 – Basic Pattern (Ages 3-4):

Sit with your child and introduce a simple pattern, such as, “Clap my hands and tap my knees.”
Create an A/B pattern and repeat, gradually increasing complexity as they get comfortable.
Ask your child to stop and model the “stopping” sign. The stopping sign can be whatever you want to indicate that you and your child should stop clapping (e.g., making a specific hand motion or funny face.)
Continue until they can switch between the patterns without hesitation.

Game Level 3 – What Comes Next? (Ages 4-5+):

Begin with clapping and tapping in the A/B pattern and then introduce slight pauses in the rhythm.
Freeze your hands after one clap and ask your child, “What comes after a clap?”
Encourage your child to notice and predict the pattern changes. The child should be asked to guess what action or beat comes next in the pattern that they have learned.
Introduce additional movements and reduce repetition before asking what comes next.
Gradually make the pattern more challenging (e.g., AAB/AAB, ABA/ABA).

After You Play: Talk & Reflect

Take a moment to talk with your child about their experience. Here are a few questions to ask:

“Was it easy or hard to remember to stop clapping?”
“How did you remember to tap your knees after clapping?”
“Did you count the movements in your mind?”

After asking your child questions, reflect on their responses. Acknowledge their efforts and any challenges they faced, reinforcing their success and the importance of trying again.

Additional Ideas & Resources:

For older children, make the pattern more complex or let them come up with their own rhythm.
Encourage creativity by letting your child model new actions to incorporate into the game.
Try using various instruments to create patterns, or use a drum to strike a specific number of times and invite your child to mimic the pattern with claps.

Have fun clapping and tapping your way through pattern play!