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Let's make some sound cylinders!

With the aim of refining the auditory sense, sound cylinders are very simple to make. First gather all your necessary materials:

• Small glass jars with lids. We bought our jars at a dollar store but you could easily use clean baby food jars or mason jars.

• Different types of grains or small objects to place in the jars. Peas, rice, beans, beads, small building blocks, etc. We used rice, beads, and wooden blocks. You will need enough to partially fill 2 jars each and make sure they sound different when you shake the jar.

• Red and Blue pieces of fabric. (use a couple old t-shirts)

• Elastic bands.

Partially fill each jar with grain or small objects and close lid tightly.

Cut circles in each piece of fabric large enough to completely cover the glass jar. Place the jar standing up in the middle of the circle. While holding the fabric up with one hand place the elastic band over the top to hold the fabric in place. Make sure to use one red and one blue for each of the same type of grain or object.

Presentation

1. Bring the Montessori sound cylinder tray to the table or on a mat.

2. Pick up a red cylinder and shake 2-3 times beside your ear. Then place it in front of the tray.

3. Pick up a blue cylinder and shake 2-3 times beside your ear. If the noise is the same take both cylinders and place them to the left side. If it is not the same place the blue cylinder to the right and repeat the process with another blue cylinder.

4. Once the matching cylinder has been found and both have been placed to the left, put the blue cylinders back on the tray.

5.  Pick up the second red cylinder, shake, and follow the same process to find it's match.

6. Once all the cylinders have been matched up, place them back on the tray.

7. Stand up, push your chair to the table, and return tray to the shelf.

Variation

To make easier, empty 2 of the cylinders. This will also teach the child the difference between silence and noise.

To make harder, add more cylinders.

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