Sound-filled books

Sound-filled books

Reading is often associated with calmness, tranquility, and silence. However, several books available on the market for young children can be used to produce various sounds and noises. These include book and CD sets, books with different types of buttons that can be pressed to hear sounds, and fabric books that make crumpled paper, whistling, or tiny bell sounds when they are manipulated by tiny hands.

Of course, when you choose to offer these types of books to your group, your goal is to encourage exploration much more than relaxation.

I suggest storing all your "sound-filled books" in a special bin that you can take out during precise periods...when you feel up to enduring a mix of fun and silly sounds.

Here are a few ways you can use this bin with your group:

• If possible, take the bin outside. Set it in your yard and let children discover its contents. During winter, set a heavy blanket over a plastic tarp. Children will enjoy sitting on it as they explore your "sound-filled books".
  
  
• Use a timer to limit the period of time during which children are allowed to manipulate the contents of your bin. This will help you (and little ones) avoid a headache from being exposed to noise for a long period of time. Consider your tolerance to noise when determining the duration of this activity.
  
  
• Invite children to take turns presenting one book from your bin to the group. For example, one child could choose a book containing animal sounds, sit in front of the group, and activate the sounds one after the other. Encourage your group to name and describe each sound they hear. This method may help children discover books that would not have been attracted to on their own as well as limit the noise level in your daycare, since only one book will be manipulated at a time.
  
  
• Use your "sound-filled books" for a guessing game. Making sure children don't see you, remove one book from your bin. Hide it under an opaque blanket and activate the sounds. Encourage children to identify them. Once they have heard all the sounds, have them guess the book's theme (sounds you hear in your home, zoo or farm animals, means of transportation, etc.).
  
  
• Books containing buttons that must be pressed to activate various sounds can also represent a fun association game. Sit in a circle with your group. Press a button and turn the pages of the book (holding it so children can see the illustrations). Invite children to identify the illustration or item associated with the sound they heard.
  
  
• Whenever you explore a book from your "sound-filled books" bin with your group, encourage children to try to recreate the sounds they hear within its pages with their mouth. Certain sounds can be quite challenging, but children will love trying!

Patricia-Ann Morrison