Rain Dance

Just for the record, we're not actually trying to make it rain 

and cannot be held responsible for an precipitation that may or may not fall.

Make a pretend rain hat this week.

It can be made out of fabric, paper, a disposable bowl

whatever you have one hand.

It can be practical, imaginative, funny or whatever floats your boat.

Will it tie under the chin, fit tightly on the head?

Will it be see through or covered with buttons, glitter, paint?

Will it make noise when you dance in it?

Let it reflect your own likes and personality.

As your child listens to the pitter patter of rain drops or jump in puddles they are learning about the rhythms found in the sounds of nature as they explore their environment.

"Creativity in movement is an important key experience because it gives children opportunities for individual expression. Children learn more about themselves and their environment..."

{Round the Circle by Phyllis S. Weikart}

Shake it!

This week:

Construct a shaker instrument with your child!

Look for an interesting container for your shaker, 

you might try out a few different ones before you decide.

How about a cardboard tube, a small box, a balloon, a glass jar, a plastic container, a metal container, fold a paper plate in half and staple it.

(while you may want to experiment with sounds in a glass container, something that is not breakable may be the best choice for a shaker your child can play with on a regular basis)

What will you fill it with?

Paper clips, rice, beans, marbles, sand, popcorn...

How do each of these sound in the different containers?

Do some sound like a light rain and others a hail storm?

How is the sound different with more or less of the same filler?

When you have chosen your favorite combination seal it up and your shaker is finished.

Now have fun with it!

Make up a rain story to tell as your child "plays" their shaker.

Once upon a time a mother and her little boy were walking in the woods when it began to rain...

(cue the little boy next to you with the shaker)

This activity offers avenues to create music and be expressive. It also lays the groundwork for comprehension of the physics of sound. You've helped your child develop observational skills as well as an attitude of investigative curiosity. When you discuss all the options for making the best shaker you encourage your child's analytical skills. 

Cock a doodle doooo!

 {picture credit}

Did you know that animal sounds are different all over the world?

Well - not the way the animals make the sounds but they way different cultures interpret and express them?

Here are some sounds of a Rooster (crowing)

• Danish: kykyliky
• Dutch: kukeleku
• Finnish: kukko kiekuu
• French: cocorico
• German: kikeriki
• Greek: kikiriku/kikiriki
• Hebrew: coo-koo-ri-koo
• Hungarian: kukuriku
• Italian: chicchirichi
• Japanese: ko-ke-kok-ko-o
• Portuguese: cucurucu
• Russian: kukareku
• Swedish: kuckeliku
• Turkish: kuk-kurri-kuuu
• Urdu: kuklooku

Try them all and then ask your child which one is the closest to the one we sing in "Morning Sun Has Risen"?

 Playing with sounds of words, experimenting with consonant and vowel placement are important foundations for phonological awareness. Learning to recognize, differentiate and reorganize sounds is a prerequisite for learning to read.

You can find the rooster sounds here along with other animal noises.