- Definition
Body percussion is when you make sounds using your body, like clapping your hands, snapping your fingers, or patting your legs.
Clapping your hands to the beat of a song is a form of body percussion.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Body percussion is like being your own personal drum kit, using your hands, feet, and mouth to make music.
Ask your child: What rhythm can you make with your hands and feet?
Common mix-up: Kids may think body percussion is just making noise. It's actually about using your body to create intentional rhythms and sounds, just like a real instrument.
Examples
- Snapping your fingers to make a sharp, clicking sound.
- Stomping your feet on the floor to make a deep, drum-like sound.
- Patting your thighs to create a soft, rhythmic beat.
body percussion is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
