For the sound game, you will need several empty containers small enough for tiny hands to handle. Ice cream cups or little cups with removable covers will do. Fill every two containers with similar contents (rice, seeds, stones, paper clips, etc.) Shake and listen for the matching sound or roll the container and imagine what it sounds like (“rice sounds like a gentle rainfall”). You could also play at determining the range of sound — from softest to loudest. When making toys, it is important to emphasize one concept at a time. Color-coding, for example, should be dispensed with if sound is be learned. Fowler (1978) suggests that children learn the concept of size more easily if the materials are all of one color, although of differing size.
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