This is a This is Scientific American 60 Second Science. I'm Cynthia Graber. Got a minute?

That's a preschool child beating a drum in sync with an adult drummer and here's a preschooler who can't find

the rhythm.

Researchers find that the first child who can match the drumbeat is more likely to have better early language

skills and reading potential. The study is in the proceedings of the National

Academy of Sciences. Rhythm is a key factor in communication. Speech rhythm

provides important cues for meaning. Babies pick up rhythm. and speech and sound and rhythm appears to be associated with reading problems.

In the study scientists tested 35 children between 3 and 4 years old.

An adult drummer beat a tempo meant to mimic the speed of speech.

22 children could beat a long,

thirteen could not.

The children who kept the beat were faster at naming objects and colors

had superior short-term auditory memory

and were better at rhythm and melody discrimination.

These skills are all related to language and reading.

The researchers suggest that such a drumming test could identify children with

early language and literacy challenges and training could help the kids overcome those

challenges in part by learning to keep a beat.

Thanks for the minute for Scientific American 60 Second Science.

I'm Cynthia Graber.