Nursery World - Sound off!

Let the children stamp, jump and clap, and use musical instruments and everyday objects such as dustbin lids to develop an awareness of sound, says Jean Evans Develop children's listening skills and awareness of sound through free exploration in a sound area and stimulating activities both indoors and outdoors.

Develop children's listening skills and awareness of sound through free exploration in a sound area and stimulating activities both indoors and outdoors.

Come and explore

* Set up a sound area in a suitable location, away from quiet activities, and surround the area with screens to enclose the noise.

* Display posters depicting musical instruments and pictures, for example of bells, clocks, traffic and animals, to encourage children to think about different sounds.

* Consider how you will create opportunities for children to explore sound, for example by providing musical instruments; everyday objects that can be used to make sounds, such as spoons and lids; a portable tape recorder; music and tapes with recorded noises; headphones; and a selection of objects that make noises such as timers and clocks.

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