A meter can be detected by listening for a strong pulse followed by weaker pulses. The understanding of meter enables the listener to perceive the flow of musical ideas. Some children respond naturally by rocking, swaying, singing, and chanting rhymes but most need a model to help them sense the loud vs. soft pulses.
One way to help children find meter is to play them a piece, and ask them to pat their knees on the strong beat only. Then, play it again, and ask them to pat their knees on the strong beats, then clap softly on the weak beats. Then, lead them in a chant while patting the strong beats and clapping the weak beats, so they can further internalize the rhythm by putting it in the context of speech.
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