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Sounds Abound

Materials

  • tape recorder
  • blank tape
  • magazines
  • glue sticks
  • child-safe scissors
  • 4" x 6" index cards (one for each sound)

 

What to do

Younger toddlers can listen to the sounds. You may need to identify the sounds for them. Older toddlers can do more of this activity.

1. Record familiar sounds using the tape recorder and a blank tape. For example, a door shutting, wind blowing through the trees or a wind chime, a car engine, a vacuum cleaner, rain, thunder, a barking dog, a meowing cat, birds chirping, various musical instruments, a whistle, running feet, a clock, and so on.

2. Record one sound, leave a minute or two of silence, then record the same sound again.

3. Leave a few minutes of silence between different sounds.

4. Begin playing the tape. When the first sound plays ask, "Did you hear that?" or "What was that noise?" Encourage the children to listen closely to see if they can hear the sound again. When the sound plays a second time, help the children identify it.

5. Continue until all the sounds have been played and identified or the children lose interest.

6. Talk about the different sounds the children heard. Ask if they can name everything they heard. Record their answers on a chart.

7. With older toddlers, give them several magazines and challenge them to cut or tear out pictures of the things they heard.

8. Let them use the glue sticks to attach the pictures to the index cards.

9. Give a card to each child and play the tape again. The children stand up when the sound matches the card they are holding.


More to do

  • Art: Create a "Sounds Abound" collage. Have the children find magazine pictures of things they hear on a daily basis. Let them cut or tear out the pictures and glue them onto a large piece of poster board.

 

-Virginia Jean Herrod, Columbia, SC

Instructions

1. Take pictures of each child and make several copies.
2. Post each child's picture and name by her cubby, the diaper area, and
other places in the classroom. This lets parents know that each child has
her own special place. It also helps children begin to recognize their
cubbies and identify their pictures.
3. On a low wall or the back of a shelf, display photographs of all the
children's families so the children can see them. If the children can see
photographs of their families throughout the day, it may ease their
separation anxiety.
4. Plan to have one or two inviting activities ready for the children when
they arrive to help them transition into the classroom. The activities will
make them want to come into the classroom and start playing, helping
them to transition from their parents to the classroom. Also, one teacher
should be sitting on the floor with the children so they have someone
to play with.
5. Have a note pad close to the sign-in sheet where parents can write any
information they need you to know for the day.
6. Make sure to greet each child with a happy voice and smile and then
greet the parents.

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