22mo–3y12 minMusicOutdoorFree play
Sound Line Safari
Guide the adult to set up a safe ‘sound line’ with everyday objects and help your child explore different sounds by tapping, shaking, and comparing, with simple turn-taking and sound vocabulary.
What you'll need
Essentials
- string/cord or a scarf to attach objects (kept short and always supervised)
- 3-5 sound objects (e.g., wooden spoon on a pot, pan lid, plastic bottle with rice/beans securely closed, cardboard tube, piece of wood)
Nice to have
- masking tape or clips for attaching
- a soft mallet alternative (rolled sock) for gentler tapping
Movement level: low
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneExplores and learns how sounds can be changed.Mind· 2.5y–4.2y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneCreates sounds by banging, shaking, tapping or blowing.Mind· 7mo–10mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneCopies a tapping patternMind· 2.8y–3y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneShows an interest in the way musical instruments sound.Mind· 22mo–3y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneTakes turns in simple games with adult supportHeart· 20mo–3.3y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneNames referents from soundsMind· 23mo–2.9y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneCopies simple gestures or actionsMind· 6mo–2.3y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneDiscriminates musical instrument soundsMind· 3y–4y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneRecognizes familiar environmental soundsMind· 12mo–2y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneExpresses own preferences and interests.Heart· 22mo–3y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneParticipates in songs and rhymesMind· 14mo–2.3y· stretch
- MilestoneJoins in Singing Familiar SongsMind· 2y–3y· stretch
What it practices
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Make a sound line using a variety of objects strung safely, that will make different sounds, such as wood, pans and plastic bottles filled with different things.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)