Your child first needs to be made aware of the differences between sounds and encouraged to enjoy listening to the different sounds that objects can make.
- Collect together things that make different sounds, for example, rattles bells, chimes, spoon in a cup, wooden sticks, musical instruments,comb and paper, squeaky toys, water in bottles. Show your child how to make a noise with the different objects and encourage him to have a go.
- During the day, whenever you hear a noise, draw your child’s attention to it. Take him to see what made the noise and talk about it.
- Beat out a rhythm, listen to the radio, the record player, the piano, or any musical instrument which can be obtained. See if your child can copy the beat by joining in with you, and then see if he can copy the beat when you have finished. Encourage your child to walk, march, skip, run, dance, clap appropriately to the beat.
- Activity toys which also make noises, will encourage your child to be aware of sounds, for example, a pull along telephone.
- When looking at picture books with your child talk about the different sounds various objects make. You can make the noise of a car, cow, clock etc and encourage your child to join in.
- Cut out from catalogues pictures of objects that make different noises. Stick them in a book and talk about the different noises encouraging your child to join in.