Sound Shakers Investigation
To develop careful listening and matching skills through exploring sounds made by shakers filled with different materials.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Communication & Language
- Learning area: Communication and Language
- Level: EYFS 2-3
Objectives
- Distinguishes between different sounds
- Uses comparative language (loud/quiet)
- Concentrates during listening tasks
- Matches paired sounds
Materials
- Pairs of opaque containers with matching fillings
- Labels showing contents (for reveal)
- Quiet space for focused listening
Instructions
Present the shakers with curiosity: 'These shakers all look the same, but listen—they sound different! This one goes shh shh shh. This one goes ch ch ch. Can you hear?'
Shake two different ones and ask: 'Do these sound the same or different?' Model the language: 'Different! This one is quiet and whispery. This one is loud and rattly.'
Challenge children to find the matching pair: 'Can you find the one that sounds like this? Shake and listen… is that the same?' Celebrate when they match.
Open containers to reveal contents: 'Rice! The rice makes a quiet swishing sound. Pasta makes a louder clunking sound!' Connect sounds to objects.