Children learn with their whole bodies. There are a bunch of fun music and movement
activities to teach children to hear and identify high and low sounds.
You will need a piano or other instrument that you can play
high and low notes on. Before you begin
the games be sure the children know what
high, medium and low sounds are.
Play a high note and have the children put their hands on
their heads.
Play a medium note and have them put their hands on their
tummies.
Play a low note and have them touch their toes.
Then go faster and start mixing up the order. See if they can tell if you are playing high,
medium or low notes.
Once they have gotten that down you can play Melt Like a
Snowman.
Melt Like a Snowman
The children stand up straight and tall. Then start playing high notes and slowly walk
your fingers down the keyboard. As the
notes go down the children start melting very slowly like a snowman melting in
the sun. They have to learn to melt
slowly. Don’t go too fast! My students have fun melting across the
floor.
Grow Like a Flower
Once you get to the bottom of the keyboard and your children
have melted across the floor, it is time to Grow Like a Flower.
Start at the low notes and start walking up the keyboard. As you play your children can grow from a
tiny seed in the ground, sprout and burst into a flower.
These activities help children identify high and low sounds
with high and low body positions. They
are perfect for teachers to use in a classroom setting and simple enough for
parents with no musical background to do at home.
