The general instruction is to clap hands together for one set, then clap the floor in front with both hands for the next set. And repeat on and on.

Pause a moment between sets.

The pause comes at the slash line in the examples. Each slash line signals the completion of a set.

Count the claps out loud as you proceed. Say: "1, 2, 3, 4, and 1, 2, 3, 4, and"

Sets of 3, 4, 6 and 8 are shown below.

Ages: 4+

Method:
Teacher and students sit facing each other on the floor cross-legged. Students watch as the teacher claps the starting pattern:

1, 2, 3, 4 / 1, 2, 3, 4 / 1, 2, 3, 4 / 1, 2, 3, 4 / etc.

Students pick up the pattern and begin clapping with the teacher, feeling the rhythm within themselves.

Now everyone closes their eyes, and by listening follows the clapping pattern in unison when the teacher changes it.

One set of hand claps is followed by one set of floor claps; repeat sequence over and over.

While the students' eyes are closed, silent claps can be included by clapping with hands, and then resting hands in lap for 1 or 2 claps. Repeat the sequence till the students are repeating it:

1, 2, lap, 4 / 1, 2, lap, 4 / 1, 2, lap, 4 / 1, 2, lap, 4 / etc.

Clap the rhythms of different time signatures:

One possible version is given for each, as well of examples of songs. Keep the sets of claps alternating between hands for one set followed by floor claps for the next set.

Links to the words for the songs are on the time signatures, and at the foot of this article.

4/4 Time
1, 2, 3, 4 / 1, 2, 3, 4 / 1, 2, 3, 4 / 1, 2, 3, 4 / etc.
"Red River Valley"; "My Grandfather's Clock"; "Alouette"; Evening Prayer from "Hansel and Gretel" by E. Humperdinck.

2/2 Time
Clap the pattern of the previous exercise of 4/4 time, except clap twice as fast:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 / 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 / 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 / 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 / etc.
"Sailor's Hornpipe"; "Jingle Bells"; "There Is a Tavern in the Town."

2/4 Time
All hand claps; no floor claps. Accent the claps with numbers.
1 & 2 & / 1 & 2 & / 1 & 2 & / 1 & 2 & / etc.
"Oh, Where Have You Been Billy Boy, Billy Boy"; Brother, Come and Dance With Me from "Hansel and Gretel" by E. Humperdinck; "Mary Had a Little Lamb"; "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep"; "Bobby Shaftoe.

3/4 Time
1, 2, 3 / 1, 2, 3 / 1, 2, 3 / 1, 2, 3 / etc.
"The Man on the Flying Trapeze"; "Hey Diddle Diddle"; "Rock-a-bye Baby"; "Pat-a-Cake, Pat-a-Cake, Baker's Man."

6/8 Time
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 / 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 / 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 / 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 / etc.
"The Farmer in the Dell"; "Hickory, Dickory, Dock"; "Humpty, Dumpty"; "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush"; "Jack and Jill."

Lessons
Math while Moving - Homepage
1. Math while Moving - Counting
2. Math while Moving - Addition and Subtraction
3. Math while Moving - More Addition
4. Math while Moving - Clapping Patterns and Sets
5. Math while Moving - ABA Sequencing
6. Math while Moving - Geometric Shapes
7. Math while Moving - Learning to Tell Time

Related links
What Is Your Child's Learning Style - Auditory, Visual or Kinesthetic?
Kinesthetic Language Learning - Introduction
Dyscalculia - also Known as Dyscalcula or Acalculia
Songs in 4/4 Time
Songs in 2/2 Time
Songs in 2/4 Time
Songs in 3/4 Time
Songs in 6/8 Time

Recommended
Kinesthetic Math and Language Lessons -
You´ll find 33 beginning and advanced kinesthetic math and language lessons in 78 pages for kids of all abilities in grades K-6, including teaching all ages the one-hand alphabet with large photos of the letter shapes.


And, for ages 2 to 5, more than 10 kinesthetic learning lessons, plus rhythms, dances and exercises in this workbook Rhythms and Dances for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Article and illustration Susan Kramer