TRAP Makes Learning Fun
Part 2
By Eddie Tuduri
Summary: This article shares more about The Rhythmic Arts Project and the movement-based activities that help make learning joyful, accessible, and inclusive. The article highlights how rhythm can support connection, confidence, and participation.
I’m not intentionally enigmatic in my facilitator training, quite the contrary.
The Rhythmic Arts Project addresses Profound Cognitive Disabilities, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Attention Deficiency Disorder, (ADHD) Alzheimer’s and Autism.
Some years ago, I was asked to speak to a large audience of therapists, fellow IDD workers, administrators, and various teachers.
It was a wonderful crowd of like-minded colleagues with whom I felt a strong kinship. During the speech I referenced an educational method concerning our disabled population. I used the word pedagogical.
Well, the speech went very well, and the audience was kind and very complimentary. That is all but the CEO that arranged my presentation. As I walked off stage that day, he greeted me with his arm around my shoulder and said, “What the (Superlative adjective here!) were you talking about? This was about my choice of words. He said that I would have to ‘dummy up’ to which I responded, perhaps you should ‘smarten up.’
It made me think that our training should include the correct words and meaning regarding specific exercises we employed. In our training, it became essential that to comprehend the depth of our exercises, we should also study the science, and the sophistication achieved in our results.
*As I researched deeper into our methodology, I found it revealed a lot more than I was aware. The exercises played a significant role in the development of problem solving, skills in mathematics, and reading comprehension.
Spatial skills are essential for life. They play a decisive key in mathematics and reading, crossing the midline, and to facilitate other comprehensive but fun puzzles. We organize hand drums, using laterality to differentiate left from right. We use shapes, colors, sign language, numbers, and various movement to ascertain the answers. And we answer the questions with our drums in most cases. We are, after all, Rhythmic!
Fine Motor Skills refer to the coordination of muscles, nerves, and bones. To enact small movements that are usually made with your hands. (Ex: picking up a small item with your pointer finger and your thumb.)
Vestibular processing involves the sensory input of any movement in the head. Try spinning blindfolded and then walking straight!
Proprioceptive Processing is sensory input we receive that lets us know where our body and body parts are in space and how to move them.
*I would suggest researching these conditions on your own for a clear, comprehensive understanding of how this applies to our friends with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and why The Rhythmic Arts Project can enhance their lives in so many ways.
Update:
The TRAP Senior Class is pure fun and a beneficial program that will address mental acuity, challenging our abilities with abstract, fun concepts.
In every class we will determine our students’ capabilities and develop their strengths. Playing hand drums and percussion instruments provides a light but decent cardiovascular workout. The laterality necessary to employ the lessons are improving our fine and gross motor skills as well as our temporal organization.
Many exercises include rudimental drumming; tapping right, left, left, right, right, right, left etc.
All my students agree, it’s a workout on every level. The conceptual exercise’s ask that we think outside the box and the most enticing component is Laughter.
It’s a win-win.
This week and last, the entire class asked for “Homework.”
Our favorite web designer Mr. Steve Armstrong is on it!
This kind of participation and enthusiasm is proof; Seniors want to Rock-Out!
*TRAP fosters inclusion, hope, and dreams for those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. We encourage parents and siblings to play a role in the learning process. TRAP teaches typical students from all walks of life. Our lessons may be integrated into existing teaching modalities in most grades and classes.
Pedagogical is an adjective that refers to the methods, theory, and practice of teaching. It describes anything related to education, instruction, or the strategies teachers use to help students learn and achieve their goals. (Full disclosure: Doc Rader taught me that word, he’s got a million of them! Thanks Doc!)
About the Author
Eddie Tuduri is the founder and director of The Rhythmic Arts Project.
He is a career musician who has worked with many of the world’s great entertainers, both touring and in countless recordings. Spanning more than 50 years, Eddie was privileged to work and many times record as a sideman with artists including Delaney Bramlett, Bobby Whitlock, The Beach Boys, Dobie Gray, Del Shannon, Rick Nelson and the Stone Canyon Band, Dr. John, Ike Turner, “Boxer,” Ronnie Hawkins, The Down Child Blues Band, “Chilliwack,” The Five Man Electric Band, Wha-Koo, Bill Champlin, Marianne Faithful, Martha Reeves, John Stewart, Steve Perry, Kenny Neal, Tata Vega, Ronnie Laws, Dwight Yoakum, Johnny Rivers, Freddy Fender and Charlie Rich, Michael McDonald, Jimmy Messina and JD Souther to name a few.