Kevin Sheldon

LEI 4724
Activity 1
Activity Title: Follow the Leader (Music expression)
Source: Fulk, M. (2001, June 1). Therapeutic Recreation Activities & Tx Ideas: Music Activities.
Retrieved September 9, 2015.
Equipment: Variety of small percussive instruments (drum sticks, maracas, tambourines,
bongos, etc.)
Description of Activity:
A group ranging from two to fifteen participants will gather in a group circle so that everyone
participating can be seen by one another. Each member will receive their own percussive
instrument. A chosen member will be asked to begin the activity (perhaps the therapist will start)
with a simple 2 or 3 hit rhythm-beat. After the leader presents their beat to the group, the group
must follow the leader by demonstrating their ability to repeat the same pattern as a group.
With each successful repetition, the leader will continue to add one addition hit to their original
pattern as the activity progresses. After the group fails to repeat the complex beat, a new beat
leader will be assigned in an attempt to give everyone an opportunity to be a leader at one point
in the activity if they desire.
Leadership considerations:
This activity works better in smaller to middle size groups (between 2-15 participants). A wide,
open room is ideal to allow the noise acoustics from becoming overbearing, as well as, allowing
the participants to sit in a circle facing each other. The therapist serves first as a moderator by
explaining and setting the activity up and then acts as a facilitator by managing who will start as
leader and who will follow after. The therapist must also determine if the beat pattern instructed
by the leader is too advance or complex for the majority to follow (80/20 rule).
Adaptations:
Clients who have autism: Be observant and sensitive to this population. Over-stimulation can be
expected especially when it comes to loud noises. If this happens, dampening the sounds with the
use of headphones over the individuals ears or placing noise-cancelling devices (such as a towel
or pillow) over the percussive instruments may be beneficial in prevent this over-stimulation.
Limiting the group size may also contribute to a more inviting atmosphere in an attempt to keep
the noise level down. Encourage and challenge the participants to see how low they can play
while following the leader (this will help to challenge all participants, while making it more
suitable for any individuals who may have sensory stimulation obstacles).
Clients who are hearing impaired: Be alert on the seating arrangement. Placing this individual
next to the leader will be beneficial because the client will be more likely to feel the vibrations
of the instruments. Also, close proximity will make it easier for the individual who has a hearing
impairment to see and hear (assuming they still have auditory senses) what the leader is doing.

Making an adaptation of having every leader sit in a specified chair (the leaders chair) in
which the individual with a hearing impairment will always be in close proximity with every
leader that takes place in the activity.