Make Your Own Sound Shaker
Here's What To Do
1
Halfway fill 3-4 small clear plastic bottles with different smaller objects like rice, corn kernels, dry beans, dry seeds, nuts, cereal, dry pasta, etc.
2
Make sure the top of the bottle is tightly secured by wrapping a few layers of durable tape around it, or glue the cap closed with non-toxic glue.
3
Hand the bottles to your baby, then model shaking one bottle at a time.
4
When your baby grabs a bottle and shakes it, mimic their movement with another bottle.
Put PEER Into Action
P
Pause:
- Hold your baby and give them a kiss.
E
Engage:
- Ask "Can you shake the bottle?" and model the shaking motion.
- Softly shake a bottle close to your baby's ear so they can hear the sound.
E
Encourage:
- When your baby shakes the bottles say “that’s right, shake it again”!
- Ask and answer your own questions, like: "What does it sound like? Shake-a-shake-a-shake!"
R
Reflect:
- What was your baby’s reaction to this activity?
Not quite ready?
Place your baby in your lap, holding and shaking the bottles until they independently grasp and shake the bottles on their own.
Ready for more?
See if your baby will imitate your shaking movements or rhythms.
As your child masters this skill...
They will hold and move different objects to hear the sounds they make.