Turn on a metronome to help you keep time. Press the power button on the metronome, and set the tempo using the dial or tempo buttons. Start off with a slower tempo to develop muscle memory, playing as even as possible with the metronome click.
Hit the hi hat with your drumstick four times per measure, staying even with the metronome. Slow down or speed up the metronome click until you feel comfortable and can stay even with the click.
Play the kick drum only on beats one and three. Start by playing only the kick drum and hi hat until you build up your coordination.
Add the snare into the beat. Play the snare on beats two and four, in the four beat measure. The kick drum and snare will play off of each other. Loop the beat over and over, playing with the metronome. The beat will become easier to play in time. Drummers often are required to play the same beat over and over, so looping measures will teach you to hold a solid beat without falling out of time with the metronome.