Kids of various abilities can practice clapping rhythms to different time signatures. A teacher or assistant can help as needed.

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.

More instructions in how to clap with kids are here.

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."

Related links
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 by Susan Kramer