Watermelon Handshake
Why this lesson is important
This game may seem simple, but it is one of the most surprisingly important comprehensive music exercises your child can experience. It involves connecting and coordinating rhythmic movements with another person, initially between the student and teacher, and eventually among peers.
This exercise helps students integrate several essential skills:
- Rhythm: Understanding and maintaining a steady beat.
- Gross and Fine Coordination: Developing body awareness and control through movement.
- Human Connection: Fostering relationships through attunement and cooperative play.
- Being in close proximity while engaging in this activity helps build bonds of trust and respect among the children.
The Power of Social Connection
The concept of "Watermelon Handshakes" serves as a simple version of social partner dancing. A skilled dance teacher once said, "Social dancing is an activity where you might be partnered with a total stranger that you have no reason to care about, yet by working to coordinate your movements together, you begin to feel a bond where you care deeply about their well-being." This connection is vital for young children as they learn to interact with others.
Developing Awareness and Care
Through this game, students develop their 'salience' system, which helps them understand the nuances of touch and movement.
They learn:
- How much pressure to use when making contact.
- The appropriate speed for their movements.
- When to conclude their interactions.
Preparing for Future Skills
Moreover, this game lays the groundwork for more advanced musical skills, such as drumming with sticks. By mastering embodied rhythm now, your child will be better prepared for future musical endeavors.
How to:
There is a hierarchy of what to attend to:
1. Show kids a working model. Have adults show this. Have puppets show it.
2. Have puppets show how not to do it.- being too rough, having chaotic rhythm.
3. Celebrate simple engagement. The student is willing to do the exercise with you.
2. Get the hand movement- 'right', 'left', 'right', ' left'. For students who are still confused which hands is which, use colored hair bands. I like red on right wrist and blue on left wrist.
3. Get the grip so that the thumb goes in the right place.
4. Get the quality of grip strong enough to make contact, but not so strong as to be aggressive
5. Get a good quality of eye contact.
5. Get a smooth flowing rhythm
6. Get the movement integrates through the torse hips and legs.
Next:
Put together the Count Down into the watermelon handshake