Rhythm is the birthright of every human being

Today a friend sent me one of those "baby dances to rap song, lol!" youtube clips.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=193835835672&ref=nf



I had fun watching it, and I did laugh a lot. But it also got me thinking about how some children mature much faster than others in terms of their motor skill development. I definitely believe in Constructivism-- the idea that genes and environment together construct how we see the world. I also believe that many children are capable of learning at a much faster pace than we give them credit for.



Of course the baby in this video is merely copying dance moves he's probably watched his parents do or seen done in the media, but I think that by watching this video, or any of the other thousands of videos similar to this one on the web, one can see that dancing is an innate quality in humans... in other words, adults do not teach children how to dance. We may teach them steps, or specific styles or techniques based on our cultural and social values, but we are merely a "more knowledgeable other" in the learning process. Dancing is inborn in us the same way rhythm is inborn in us. This innate connection to rhythm, the reason I think that music is such an important part of our lives, serves as our connection with the rest of the world and the universe. Rhythm sustains life through the beating heart, and it is one of the most powerful way to connect people and communities.



So although movement is a combination of nature and nurture in that there are aspects of movement that are specifically learned (like swimming for example), and some children advance in motor skill development at a faster pace than others, rhythm is the birthright of every human being. It is one of the most effective ways in which to express ourselves and to connect with other people and communities, and it is necessary in order to feel a inter-connectedness with the world.