Features

EYFS Activities: Sound In control

In the second part of this series, Hayes Greenfield explores all the ways counting can engage core executive function skills

Engaging intentional sound-making builds, develops and enhances executive function skills: inhibitory control and self-regulation, working memory, creativity and cognitive flexibility. A simple example of this is counting aloud from one to ten.

ACTIVITY IDEAS

Pitch

Let’s count from one to ten and alternate between a high and low pitch sound. The number one is high in pitch; two is low; three is high; four is low in pitch, and so on.

Count again but reverse the pitches. One is low; two is high…

Volume

Now, let’s only focus on volume and gain control from sounding out quiet to medium to loud:

Start very quietly in a whisper and gradually get louder and louder until the class is at its loudest point when sounding the number ten. Be sure to keep a steady pace and not speed up.

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