- cardboard box (large)
- everyday objects such as: aluminum pie plates, cardboard boxes (some wrapped with a rubber band), combs, paper towel tubes, plastic containers with lids, wooden spoons
Sound Box
© Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Early Education and Care (Jennifer Waddell photographer). All rights reserved.
Children are curious about sounds. A box full of cardboard tubes, aluminum pans, and spoons can spark your child’s curiosity as much as a trip to the sound exhibit at the science museum.
Together explore how different objects make different sounds.
Create a space inside where your child can be noisy and explore making sounds, or go outside where he can be as loud as he likes! Fill a box with sound-makers (see materials list). Then play a game of “Sound Simon Says.”
- Choose a sound-maker and make a soft sound with it. Using a voice that mimics the soft sound you made, ask your child to repeat the sound. (For example, using a soft whisper say, Simon says make a soft sound.) Take turns making different sounds with different sound-makers.
- Talk about how different materials make different sounds. For example ask, Was your sound louder or softer than my sound? What sound-maker do you think will make the loudest, booming sound?
Sound-makers are great for encouraging creative play, making sound patterns, and lots more. Here are two ideas to try:
- Listen to music and identify the rhythm as you play along.
- Make a sound in another room or while your child has his eyes closed. Have him guess what material is making the sound. Switch roles.