You probably don't need telling that your toddler just loves making noises. But did you know that noisy play can help their listening skills and language learning?
As you can see from the video below, lots of household items can be used to make shakers or drums.
What are the language benefits of making noises?
Some of the benefits of this fun activity include:
- Using sound words like 'tap', 'crash', 'bang' and 'pop' helps build your child's vocabulary.
- Saying 'stop', 'start' and 'quiet' can build anticipation
- Reiterating words for noise sounds could help your little one construct short, simple sentences.
- Letting your child take the lead and practising your turn, my turn when making the noises builds their confidence.
- Making different noises with different objects helps develop your child's listening skills
Image caption, All sorts of household items can be used for making shakers and drums.
1 of 4
Ideas for noisemakers made from household items
Creating your own noisemakers can be fun! Look around your home and explore what noises certain objects make with your little one. If you're feeling creative, perhaps you could make your own sensory box or rice rattle.
But, if you're short on time, but would like to make some noise, here are some ideas:
| Stacking cups and tapping them together | Tapping wooden spoons together |
| Tapping pots and pans with spoons | Rattling keys |
| Shaking tubs containing dried peas | Tapping a keyboard |
| Tapping empty plastic bottles | Filling small bottles with liquid and shaking |
| Rattling dried pasta in pots | Flipping through the pages of big books |
How to make the most of this noisy activity
The great thing about noise makers is that you can make it as varied or simple as you wish.
You could add more vocabulary to the activity by asking your little one what you're using to make the noises and then reiterating the noise sounds.
Encourage your child to practise making the sounds while voicing the words, for example, 'tap the drum' or 'shake the water'.
Get the family involved by creating a mini-band! You could shake a tub of dried peas while your baby taps some pots and your friend rustles some paper!
Whatever you choose to do, you're bound to be in fits of giggles by the end of it. Happy noise making!
