Rhythm is very natural to children. They have many right brain forms of learning. Children go ga-ga over the drum. Drumming is very accessible to them since it does not require as much technique as other instruments to get a sound out of it. This provides instant gratification, and it builds self-esteem because they have confidence from accomplishing something.
Children love beats and sound.
Drumming also helps develop both fine and gross motor skills in children. It is interesting that often the more aggressive and outspoken children go for the big drums, which echoes with their outgoing nature. Often when a child needs to open up more, we encourage him or her to go for the frame drums or the tom-toms. They learn to hear their own voice sound. There is a cosmic connection between drumming and dance.