Play and exploration are how a child learns. Having adventures in sound and music is a joy to add to the mix. Sometimes books can be used to aid the process.
Squeak, Rumble, Whomp! Whomp! Whomp!: A Sonic Adventure by Wynton Marsalis and Paul Rogers is a wonderful book creating awareness of the music found in and around us. The rhythmic nature of the book adds to the fun in sharing this book with a child.
Use this book as a jumping off point to creating a sound and rhythm adventure with a child. They can be a way for a child to join in this month’s #Cre8tiveSpark challenge. Here are a few ideas to get the creative fires going.
- Ask a child to name things that make sounds in a room of the house. Have the child recreate the sound. Place them into this variation of “Riddle, Riddle, Riddle Ree”.
Riddle, riddle, riddle ree. That (insert item) sounds like me! (Make the sound 4 times.)
- Use a rhythmic background for reading the book from a source such as Free Jam Tracks. Have the child tell you their favorite for the book.
- Create a pattern of pats, claps, stomps, etc. to use as a background for reading.
- Gather metal bowls of various sizes. Place them in a bathtub or wading pool filled with water. Place a small amount of water in the bowls. Gently strike the side of the bowls with a spoon to create a melody and rhythm. Explore which bowl has the highest and lowest pitch.
This looks like such a fun book! I’m a big fan of Wynton Marsalis–sure wish this resource was around when my son was young.
My share was sitting my son in the middle of the kitchen and letting him chose three pots, pans and utensils to “make music to.”
He loved it…me, not so much :P.
Sounds like a bang up time, Linda. I’m guessing there was a little volume involved. Ear protection can help during some noisy explorations.
I have recently been informed that our son would like: “a trombone, a tuba, a cello and drums.” He already has tried to play the poor little children’s guitar like a cello–using a block for a bow. We’re big fans of the musical exploration games at my house–even though I occasionally long for noise-cancelling headphones.
You make me smile, Ann. Place the order for the noise-canceling headphones. And, keep up the exploration!
How fun!!! My daughter has been doing a lot of vocal play. That’s pretty much what we do in the car around town.
Vocal play is travel friendly. Enjoy the ride, Rachelle.
Wonderful ideas. We also played with pots and pans. Sang, danced and acted silly. Kids are wonderful and so much fun to be with. I miss those times with my kids!
Sometimes I think we all need to embrace our inner child and let loose with singing, dancing and play.