Understanding Rhythm and Rhythmic Activities

• Rhythm is natural to every individual and is found in all of nature.
• Rhythm is most clearly seen through dance, the art of movement.

Rhythmic Activities

• Rhythmic activities are the physical manifestations of the mental and emotional response to rhythm.
• These activities allow children to respond physically, socially, and mentally to regular patterns of sound.
• People of all ages get enjoyment from rhythmic activities.
• Through rhythmic activities, skills and a sense of rhythm are acquired and developed.
• Feelings are expressed, and basic principles of time, space, and force can be experienced through rhythmic activities.
• Physical reactions to music include head swaying, foot tapping, finger snapping, and body movement.

Rhythm

• Rhythm is the regular recurrence of accented and unaccented beats.
• It is the basis of music and dance.
• Provides a variety of fundamental movement experiences so learners can move efficiently while developing a sense of rhythm.
• Fundamental rhythms and creative rhythms are subsets of rhythm.

Rhythms

• Rhythms denote an aspect of a quality of movement thought of as dance.
• Rhythmic movements or rhythms are movements in response to a particular rhythm or music.
• Structured forms that start creative rhythmic movements are called rhythms.

Dance

• Dance is movement set to music where there emerges organization, structure, and pattern.
• It implies arrangement of parts into a form.
• Serves as a symbol of cultural identity and acts as a medium of cultural fusion
• Dance today is pan-cultural and planetary.
• Concerned with communication of emotions or ideas through the medium of movement.
• An art form expressed in movement uses the human body as its basic vehicle.
• Dance conveys ideas or feelings through carefully selected patterns arranged to meet particular communication needs.
• It is reborn through different dancers, movements, and cultures.
• The culture from which dance springs must be understood to understand dance.
• The dances of the Philippines are deeply rooted in Filipino culture and heritage.
• Dance should be an important part of every Filipino child's school experience.

Dancing

• Expressing emotion through movement disciplined by rhythm
• Act of moving rhythmically and expressively to accompaniment
• The word "dancing" came from the old German word "danson" which means "to stretch”.
• Essentially is made up of stretching and relaxing.
• Dance is a wholesome activity that provides opportunities for physical, mental, and social growth in education.
• It emphasizes the creative and aesthetic aspects of movement.
• Because dance is movement, it gives physical development an excellent medium.
• A unique aspect of dance is development and a better understanding of its role as a tool for self-expression.
• Excellent possibilities are inherent in dance for overall development.

Rhythmic activities and health

• Any rhythmic activity includes body movements following a steady beat.
• Practicing rhythmic movements during an aerobic exercise or dancing comes with health benefits that improve quality of life.
• Improves general and psychological well-being.
• In addition to burning calories, dancing can improve cardiovascular health.
• Regular dancing can lower blood pressure, reduce fat, and improve cholesterol ratio.
• Bones are strengthened, muscular strength is increased, and coordination, flexibility, and agility improve.
• Can improve mental functions because rhythm regulates the brain and prevents cognitive decline.
• Boosts brain chemicals supporting memory and learning.
• Regularly participating in rhythmic activities can improve self-confidence and self-esteem.
• Practice impulse control and resilience when faced with adversities
• There is an overall joyful attitude and an increased state of happiness, leading to greater life satisfaction.
• Channel to communicate with others.
• The subconscious interprets movements and triggers specific emotions.
• A rhythmic activity is useful in diverting attention and energy away from stressful things.
• Rhythmic activity forms aerobic exercise and involves muscle stretching, toning, and conditioning.
• Heart rate increases, and effects can be felt in all aspects of life.

Stress Relief

• Listening to music relieves stress
• Rhythmic movements, like tapping, clapping, or stomping feet, can trigger the release of stress-reducing biochemicals like dopamine.
• Dopamine improves drive, focus, relaxation, and rest.