Montessori Activity: Introduction to Musical Note

Age: From 3 years old

Objective(s):

1. To teach distinction between musical note and different pitches.

Materials:

1 set of musical bells.

Directions:

1. Shake it from number one to eight and say the corresponding note e.g. "do", "re", "mi"... etc.

2. Shake number 1 and say this is the lowest note.

3. Shake number 8 and say this is the highest note.

4. Invite your child to experiment and ask him which of the note is higher or lower.

Additional Information:

Each of these bells plays a distinct note - do re mi fa so la ti do... (the only cons is that the last two notes are not so distinguishable). These bells come with a sheet with 3 different songs. It helps the child to be sensitive to different sound - the high note and the low note. The child learns that the different pitch that each bell makes could be coordinated to make a beautiful tune. It is a good tool to introduce a child to musical note. I bought it from Amazon:

http://amzn.to/1rnia0E

Montessori Activity: Threading Bells

Inspired by An Amazing Child

Age: From 2 years old

Activity Duration: 10-15 minutes

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Objective(s):

1. To train the child’s fine motor skills.
2. To train the child's eye-hand coordination.

Materials:

1. 5-10 Bells
2. 1 pipe cleaner
3. 1 tray

Directions:

1. Show your child by tying a knot in the pipe cleaner

2. Show your child by picking up the pipe cleaner with one hand and begin threading it through the eyelet of each bell.

3. Go about halfway and encourage your child to complete it.

4. Remove the bells and repeat the activity if your child is interested.

Total Cost:

Pipe cleaners: 20 DKK (4.80 SGD) from the hobby set in Tiger

Additional Information:

J (2Y4M28D) tried this activity for the first time today. He was a little frustrated initially and was able to give up. I then left the room to fetch the camera. By the time I returned, he had managed to thread the bell. It was good without me around to interfere with his work :-) With initial success, he got more motivated.  He went on to complete threading all 10 bells. J enjoyed this activity rather well, and I intend to repeat it in 2 weeks' time.

References:
http://www.anamazingchild.com/kates%20blog/files/74b276ee28b49671d735ed3e3d682fab-23.php

Montessori Activity: The Silence Game/静游戏

Adapted from How to Raise an Amazing Child and Motessori Learn to Play

Age: From 2 years old

Activity Duration: 1 minute

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Objective(s): To train the child's attention to sound

Materials:
1. 1 small  bell (optional)
1. 1 hour glass measuring the passing of time in a visual manner (optional)

Directions:
1. Get your child's attention and signify the start of the game by ringing a small bell.

2. Your child should stop what he is doing.

3. Show him the hour glass. Turn over the hour glass and ask him to sit down, close his eyes, remain perfectly still and listen (make the hand sign for listen) until the hour glass is empty at the top.

4. After the time is over (30 secs. for very young child to 1 minute). in a whisper, ask him what sound he could hear during the silence.

5. Talk about the noise:
- Did he notice the sound of cars, planes, weather, birds, washing machine, dish-washer, etc.
- is it loud or soft?
- Is it nice to listen to?
- Is it quiet or very noisy?

Tips:
You can play this game anywhere indoor or outdoor. Once the child is familiar with the game, you do not need the bell and the hour glass anymore.

References:
- How to Raise an Amazing Child by Tim Seldin
- Montessori Learn & Play by Lesley Britton