The sound of Japanese Taiko Drumming is unmistakable. It sounds like thunder and yet instead of heading away, you feel drawn to come closer.

The first time we heard taiko drumming we were at the New York Botanic Gardens in the Bronx.

We were walking in one of the gardens towards the conservatory and we heard it. The thumping was growing louder and faster and my daughter starting walking and then running ahead. She needed to know what it was.

Around the corner were a line of women and huge drums. Knees bent, arms pulsing, and drums thumping these women were building their drumming louder and stronger and faster.

My daughter watched spellbound.

Learning Through Adventure

She probably could have stood there for hours, but a few minutes later the drums stopped and as we moved to go into the conservatory, one of the women asked if there were any children who wanted to come try the drums.

With a quick glance from her and a nod from me, my daughter raced to the front arms waving overhead ahead. Her fearlessness never ceases to amaze me.

Serious and quiet at first and then quickly growing more confident with the help of her patient, kind teacher, soon my girl was up there thumping away with a huge smile on her face.

This is why I love learning through adventure.

I love the spontaneous nature of it. Even though I’m a planner and list maker, I love that I can’t completely control when something new is going to spark their interest.

I love how it brings something alive so much better than a book or photo ever could. My kids know exactly what taiko drumming is. They’ve felt the drums. They’ve tried to make those loud, echoing sounds.

I love that these experiences keep coming up in our conversations for weeks and months and sometimes even years later – so much more often than other table or structured activities seem to.

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Almost a year later we moved from New York City to San Diego CA. We were busy adjusting to a new school and new routines and unpacking boxes. One afternoon I took my kids to the library by our new home. I was helping my son look for his favorite graphic novels, when my daughter came racing over to me.

“Look Mama! Look Mama! This little girl is drumming just like I did!” she yells in a not very library friendly voice, waving a book excitedly in one hand.

“That’s so cool. Can you show me?” I asked (demonstrating a much quieter but enthusiastic voice) and waving her over to my lap.

She climbed in between my legs and put NATSUMI in my hands.

The Book: Natsumi & Making Connections

Natsumi

written by Susan Lendroth and illustrated by Priscilla Burris
Find Online

This is a book to love for so many reasons. It is about a little girl who is desperately trying to find her place among her families Japanese traditions. She tries a variety of traditional activities, but none of them are a fit for her loud active personality. Eventually her grandfather introduces her to taiko drumming – sorry that’s a bit of a spoiler, but important to my story.

I love the character of Natsumi. She reminds me so much of my spirited daughter. I love the way she is able to find a way to participate and still be completely her.

I love the illustrations and the storytelling. I love the surprise ending – sorry I ruined that for you! It’s still worth reading though, I promise.

My daughter loved it for all of those reasons I think, but she was most excited to find a reminder of her experience with Taiko drumming. We read and re-read NATSUMI at the library and later at home after checking it out.

We also talked about some of the other Japanese traditions mentioned in the book – the tea ceremony, the dancing. My daughter was curious about the dancing so we checked YouTube to see if we could find a video. (See below for the one we watched.)

Building More Connections

A couple weeks after we read NATSUMI, we got on a plane for Disney World. After a day of Mickey and princesses at the Magic Kingdom, we headed to Epcot on day two.

We had just finished watching a 360 degree movie about China and were hunting for a snack when we heard a familiar sound.

There in the middle of Disney World’s Epcot was another row of strong women taiko drumming. The powerful sound thundering and racing. Beautiful and powerful.

My kids both sat transfixed on the hot sidewalk and watched.

Later when the drumming stopped we would walk through the little Japanese garden and try some Japanese food in a pavilion.

Later my daughter would remind me about NATSUMI still sitting in our library basket at home.

Later we would find Japan on a map and notice that it was right across the ocean from us now that we lived on the west coast.

Later we would start talking about seeing the drumming and eating the food and wandering the gardens in the actual Japan.

All because of the magic of adventures and experiences with kids. And all because learning through adventure simply inspires more learning and more adventure.

Want More?
Read: Japan Unit for Kids

This post is part of the Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month Series.
Look below to Find more Asian Pacific American learning ideas.

Welcome to our fifth annual Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month Blog Hop! Below you can explore ideas about sharing with kids the rich cultures of this vast and varied region.

For even more ideas, visit our blog hops from last year, 2016, 2015 and 2014. You can also follow our Asia and Australia & Oceania boards on Pinterest.

Participating Blogs

Pack-n-Go Girls on Multicultural Kid Blogs: 10 Fun Facts About Thailand for Kids

Chinese American Family: Tools to Dream – 101 Points of Chinese American Pride

Crafty Moms Share: A Look at Japan

Bicultural Mama: 5 Ways to Use Chopsticks in the Kitchen

Bambini Travel: Learning About Japanese Taiko Drumming with Kids

Kori at Home: Fun Facts About the Philippines for Preschoolers

Wise Owl Factory: Project Mulberry by Linda Sue Park – Free Printable