Djembe Drum 3.5" diameter, 15cm high, Educator Star, wood

The '3.5 inch Educator Star Djembe Drum, 15cm high - Budget - Painted' is the second smallest of our low cost djembe range and is supplied with a free wooden drumstick and our Early Years "Good Practice Guide". The drum is quite small - just 3.5 inch in overall diameter and the playing head diameter is 3 inch - but it's a working drum and not a toy, and makes a surprisingly good sound.

It's really good for young children because it can be handled easily and carried around by the string handle, but it can also be played by older children and even grown-ups, either with the free wooden drumstick, or with the fingertips. Being small it makes a higher pitched sound than bigger drums. Prefer a different size? Browse our djembe drums for schools.

Each wooden '3.5 inch educator star djembe drum' is made by hand using traditional materials and techniques. The wood is mahogany , the 3 inch playing head is goatskin and the skin is stretched tight using cotton string. The designs on these instruments vary from drum to drum and are all painted by hand using safe, water-based paints.  You can see some of their other designs, and compare the other sizes of drum, in the "group" photo. A 3 inch Educator Star djembe (our smallest size) is also available.

These drums can help with all aspects of EY development, including:

Sensory and/or physical needs
* Self-played:

Can be helpful in challenging and exercising balance, proprioception, integrating multiple coordination, postural and positional self-management skills - especially when walking/moving. As they are so robust they can handle a lot of interesting and eventful encounters!

Can sit astride the larger drums when they are laid parallel to the floor, playing the head using different muscles than when seated or standing

Requires a range of gross motor control skills from subtle side-to-side, forwards/backward, up/down twisting to vigorous shaking -increasing competence in motor control for dynamic playing including stop/start, soft/loud, fast/slow, getting louder, faster, softer, slower etc.

* Practitioner-facilitated play:

Helping with posture and mobility - supporting walking and forward movement whilst student continues playing .

Social, emotional and mental health
Sometimes there can be nothing better than everyone joining in a few very simple rhythms together. And it doesn't matter whether you 'keep in time' or just hit it!
Feeling part of the group empowers individual and community/group cohesion.

Communication and interaction
A simple communication between groups can occur when you have a group of djembes or mixed drums together.
Beginning with very simple non-rhythmic beating of the drums - one group plays, then another group plays in response. Have a conversation!
Over time, these skills can be adapted to groups playing other types of instruments - for example, have shaker group conversations, scraper group conversations, chime bar group conversations and so forth.
The point is simply to communicate.
Follow the leader - different students could have the opportunity to lead the conversations.

Cognition and learning
Rhythmic conversationcan often result in wordplay and exploration of creativity.
Often, this can transfer into developing self-awareness by way of students determining preferences for certain types of rhythmic organization, songs, activities and so-on.
Learning to express these preferences and celebrate small achievements [such as joining in and feeling good about it, as well as perhaps understanding where a beat drops out, pauses and comes back in ? for some] are pinnacle moments that add huge value to celebratory self-growth and skills learning.
Begin in 'comfort zone' then gently challenge and 'stretch' by eg. playing different tempos [speeds] Begin with almost free play then add more structure over time. Helps to accept ordered rhythm, organization, pacing as a value.

Safety note: As with all musical instruments, please treat with care and if using with young children always follow the guidance in our Early Years "Good Practice Guide"

Eco-note: The wood for the drums is certified plantation-grown mahogany and comes from off-cuts from factories that make furniture. Wood products  like these are a great way to store carbon, providing they're kept for a long time and not thrown away.

Taking care: The drum is very tough and will last for a very long time if treated with care. When not in use keep it in a dry place away from direct sunlight or other heat sources. If it should get wet, let it dry slowly. Above all keep sharp points away from the drum skin, as this is the most fragile part.

Guarantee: The wooden drum shell is guaranteed for 5 years and the drum skin is guaranteed for 2 years, but please follow the "taking care" instructions above.

Please note that our products are musical instruments, not toys, and should always be used under the supervision of responsible educationalists and carers and not left with children under 3 years of age to play with by themselves. Please always follow our simple “Good Practice” guidelines.

N.B. For Early Years settings: When you purchase this product you get free access to a wide range of downloadable Early Years teaching resources. Please visit our Early Years Resources page to see the range - free resources have a purple "FREE" label alongside. Please note that our products are musical instruments, not toys, and should always be used under the supervision of responsible educationalists and carers and not left with children under 3 years of age to play with by themselves. Please always follow our simple “Good Practice” guidelines.

For SEN settings: When you purchase this product you get free access to a wide range of downloadable SEND teaching resources. Please visit our SEND resources page to see the range - free resources have a purple "FREE" label alongside.