What is a metronome?

• The metronome is used to keep a steady beat. It can typically be programmed to a speed ranging from 40 bpm (beats-per-minute) to 208 bpm.
• It is often used by musicians to help improve their rhythm, timing, and speed.
• There are several different versions of the metronome, from the classic mechanical one to the more sophisticated pocket or computer generated variety, each with varying features. Check out the POTS recommended Korg MA-30 Ultra Compact Digital Metronome at www.amazon.com, or look for it at your local music store. The Korg has a visual display and the sounds can be made louder or softer, depending on the needs of your child.
• At Pediatric Occupational Therapy Services we have been using the computer-based Interactive Metronome (Advanced Brain Technologies; www.advancedbrain.com) as a comprehensive office-based treatment modality since 2002. The digital metronome has enabled us to harness the power of rhythmicity and incorporate it into daily sessions and home programs as well.

What goals can the metronome help my child achieve?

• Attention
• Engagement
• Processing speed
• Motor Planning
• Gross motor coordination
• Eye-hand coordination
• Bilateral coordination

What are some activities that he/she can do with the metronome at home?

• There are numerous activities that can be performed with a metronome. With each activity, pick a specific speed. Anywhere between 40 and 60 bpm is a typical starting point, but check with your therapist first to determine what speed is the most appropriate for your child.

Try doing the following activities “to the beat”:

• Clapping with both hands
• Stomping with both feet
• Jumping with both feet together
• Jumping on one foot
• Clapping and stomping hands and feet simultaneously
• Hitting a target (make one out of a piece of construction paper) on the wall with your hands
• Hitting a target on the floor (a colored dot) with your feet
• Throwing a ball back and forth to another child with or without bouncing it
• Throwing a ball against the wall with or without bouncing it

To increase the challenge, try activities that require crossing the midline of the body to facilitate bilateral coordination:

• “Cross Crawl”: Alternate touching your right hand to your left knee and your left hand to your right knee
• Alternate touching a target to the left with your right hand (yellow dot) and a target to the right with your left hand (red dot)
• Hand games such as “Miss Mary Mac” and “Patty Cake”

When performing activities, look to see if your child tends to be hyper anticipatory (follows the beat too early) or hypo anticipatory (follows the beat too late). Help your child stay on the beat by having them count out loud and/or close his/her eyes. Do the activities together with them to help get them going.

Encourage your child to be creative and think of new and fun ways to use the metronome themselves.

By:  Rachel Romanoff, MS, OTR/L  &  Chaye Lamm Warburg, MA, OTR