Talking + Hearing
Teaching preschoolers about the concept of sound, particularly in the context of talking and hearing, is essential as it forms a personal and immersive learning experience. Sound is a fundamental aspect of personal communication, and understanding its connection to speech lays the groundwork for effective language development. By engaging in activities that involve mimicking sounds and actively listening, preschoolers embark on a personal journey of discovering the nuances of communication. This hands-on approach not only enriches their sensory experiences but also helps them recognize the significance of sounds in expressing thoughts and feelings. As they explore the sounds in their environment, children connect their personal experiences to the broader concept of language, making the learning process more meaningful and enjoyable. Encouraging preschoolers to actively participate in activities related to sound fosters a sense of curiosity and attentiveness, creating a positive foundation for their ongoing language and communication skills. |
Communication Skills: Speech + Language Development
Sounds play a vital role in supporting children's communication skills, encompassing both speech and language development. Here's how sounds can positively impact kids in these areas:
Sounds play a vital role in supporting children's communication skills, encompassing both speech and language development. Here's how sounds can positively impact kids in these areas:
- Auditory Discrimination: Exposure to a variety of sounds helps children develop auditory discrimination, the ability to distinguish between different sounds. This skill is crucial for recognizing and understanding speech sounds, contributing to clear and accurate pronunciation.
- Phonemic Awareness: Sounds contribute to phonemic awareness, which is the ability to identify and manipulate individual sounds in words. Activities involving listening to and identifying sounds help build a strong foundation for phonemic awareness, a key component of early literacy.
- Vocabulary Expansion: Exposure to a diverse range of sounds enhances vocabulary development. Children learn to associate sounds with specific objects, actions, or concepts, broadening their understanding and use of language.
- Language Comprehension: Hearing sounds in various contexts aids language comprehension. Children who are familiar with different sounds are better equipped to understand spoken language, follow instructions, and comprehend the meaning behind words and phrases.
- Speech Production: Listening to and imitating sounds supports speech production. Children learn to reproduce the sounds they hear, refining their articulation and pronunciation. This, in turn, contributes to clearer and more effective verbal communication.
- Rhythm and Prosody: Exposure to rhythmic patterns and intonation in spoken language helps children develop an understanding of prosody—the rhythm, stress, and intonation in speech. This enhances their ability to convey emotions, intentions, and nuances through their own speech.
- Expressive Language Skills: Encountering a variety of sounds allows children to express themselves more effectively. They can use a broader range of vocabulary and experiment with different tones and pitches, contributing to richer and more expressive communication.
- Social Communication: Sounds are integral to social communication. Children who are familiar with the sounds of their environment can better engage in conversations, respond appropriately, and participate in social interactions with peers and adults.
- Cognitive Development: The processing of sounds stimulates cognitive development. As children actively listen and respond to sounds, their cognitive skills, such as memory and attention, are strengthened, supporting overall language and communication abilities.
- Pre-literacy Skills: Exposure to sounds lays the groundwork for pre-literacy skills. Children who are adept at recognizing and reproducing sounds are better prepared for later stages of reading and writing development.
- Storytelling and Narrative Skills: Exposure to various sounds contributes to storytelling and narrative skills. Children can use sounds to create imaginative stories, developing their ability to organize thoughts and convey information coherently.
Talking + Voice
Not only is hearing sound important, but we also create sound to communicate. The process of making precise sounds for speech is very complex and involves many parts of the body working together. One of the most widely used methods of communication for both humans and animals is the voice. Sounds are made by our vocal cords vibrating in our throat. This way we can adjust our volume and our pitch. We also use our lungs to force air past our vocal cords and start them vibrating. We use our mouth and tongue as well to help form specific sounds. It's truly amazing we can make a sound let alone the complex system of sounds humans can create to communicate with speech. Nearly all higher vertebrates can make some vocal sounds, such as an owl’s hoot or a lion’s roar. Only humans, however, can laugh, cry, sing, and speak. Such complex voice sounds require the coordination of many different parts of the body. These parts include sense organs such as the ear and tongue; the brain and the nerves; the lungs and trachea; cavities of the throat, mouth, and nose; and the human voice box, or larynx, which contains the vocal cords that actually produce sounds. |
Fun Fact: Men and women have different vocal fold sizes. Adult male voices are usually deeper' - males have larger folds. The male vocal folds are between 17 mm and 25 mm in length. The female vocal folds are between 12.5 mm and 17.5 mm long."
The Larynx
The larynx sits at the top of the windpipe, or trachea. It helps produce vocal sounds and closes the windpipe during swallowing so that no food particles pass into the lungs. In men the larynx is about 1 3/4 inches (4.4 centimeters) long and about 1 1/2 inches (3.8 centimeters) wide; the larynx is smaller in women. The larynx is held open by a framework of cartilage plates called the thyroid, the cricoid, and the epiglottis. The thyroid cartilage bulges outward to form the Adam’s apple in the throat. The smaller cricoid cartilage forms most of the anterior, lateral, and posterior walls of the larynx. The epiglottis, an elastic section of cartilage covered by mucous membrane, covers the windpipe during swallowing.
Two small pairs of tissue flaps in the larynx are called vocal cords. The upper pair are known as false cords because they do not actually produce sound. True vocal cords are white folds of mucous membrane that produce sound as air passes over them. The glottis is the narrow opening of the upper part of the larynx between the vocal cords.
The larynx sits at the top of the windpipe, or trachea. It helps produce vocal sounds and closes the windpipe during swallowing so that no food particles pass into the lungs. In men the larynx is about 1 3/4 inches (4.4 centimeters) long and about 1 1/2 inches (3.8 centimeters) wide; the larynx is smaller in women. The larynx is held open by a framework of cartilage plates called the thyroid, the cricoid, and the epiglottis. The thyroid cartilage bulges outward to form the Adam’s apple in the throat. The smaller cricoid cartilage forms most of the anterior, lateral, and posterior walls of the larynx. The epiglottis, an elastic section of cartilage covered by mucous membrane, covers the windpipe during swallowing.
Two small pairs of tissue flaps in the larynx are called vocal cords. The upper pair are known as false cords because they do not actually produce sound. True vocal cords are white folds of mucous membrane that produce sound as air passes over them. The glottis is the narrow opening of the upper part of the larynx between the vocal cords.
The Mechanics of Speech
As a person inhales, the vocal cords swing outward toward the walls of the larynx. When voice sounds are to be produced, the cords swing inward and the laryngeal muscles contract, causing the cords to become stretched and taut. Air exhaled from the lungs passes over the taut cords and they vibrate, producing sound waves.
High-pitched sounds are made when the cords are short and taut. Long and more relaxed cords produce lower pitched sounds. Loudness is determined by how hard the expelled air is forced over the vocal cords. Voice quality depends on the size and shape of certain body cavities called resonators. These include the mouth, nose, sinuses, head, neck, and chest. The lips, tongue, palate, and teeth are used with the vocal cords to produce various speech sounds. Together, they are called the vocal tract.
Sometimes because of disease a person’s larynx may have to be removed by surgery. The person must then learn another method of producing speech. In one method, called esophageal speech, the individual swallows air into the stomach and traps it in the upper portion of the esophagus. The air is then expelled by a controlled belch. As the air passes through the mouth, the person uses the lips, tongue, and palate to produce speech sounds.
As a person inhales, the vocal cords swing outward toward the walls of the larynx. When voice sounds are to be produced, the cords swing inward and the laryngeal muscles contract, causing the cords to become stretched and taut. Air exhaled from the lungs passes over the taut cords and they vibrate, producing sound waves.
High-pitched sounds are made when the cords are short and taut. Long and more relaxed cords produce lower pitched sounds. Loudness is determined by how hard the expelled air is forced over the vocal cords. Voice quality depends on the size and shape of certain body cavities called resonators. These include the mouth, nose, sinuses, head, neck, and chest. The lips, tongue, palate, and teeth are used with the vocal cords to produce various speech sounds. Together, they are called the vocal tract.
Sometimes because of disease a person’s larynx may have to be removed by surgery. The person must then learn another method of producing speech. In one method, called esophageal speech, the individual swallows air into the stomach and traps it in the upper portion of the esophagus. The air is then expelled by a controlled belch. As the air passes through the mouth, the person uses the lips, tongue, and palate to produce speech sounds.
Production of Sound In Animals
Animals produce sound in various ways. Reptiles such as snakes produce a hissing sound by forcibly expelling air from the lungs. Some snakes have developed a membrane near the opening to the glottis, enabling them to produce a string of short hisses.
Birds have what is known as a syrinx instead of a larynx. The syrinx contains membranes that vibrate when air is passed over them. Muscles in this area contract and expand, enabling the bird to increase or decrease tension in the membranes and vary the quality of sound produced. Parrots and some other birds can be taught to mimic various sounds including human speech, but they cannot use it to communicate.
Mammals such as dogs and cats have a wide range of voice sounds. The cat, in addition to its cries, hisses, and growls, is the only animal that purrs. It does so by vibrating its vocal cords in a continuous hum. Dogs can bark, growl, or whine in a variety of pitches and levels of sound.
Amphibians such as frogs are the lowest order of vertebrates to have a larynx. Air expelled from the lungs passes over the vocal cords and enters the mouth area. In some frogs, vocal sacs under the throat or near the jaw serve as resonators.
Some animals have no vocal cords but are still able to make vocal sounds. Deep inside the nasal passageways of dolphins are two flaps that overlap like valves. Air blown through the nasal passageway causes the flaps to vibrate, producing a wide array of vocal sounds.
Animals produce sound in various ways. Reptiles such as snakes produce a hissing sound by forcibly expelling air from the lungs. Some snakes have developed a membrane near the opening to the glottis, enabling them to produce a string of short hisses.
Birds have what is known as a syrinx instead of a larynx. The syrinx contains membranes that vibrate when air is passed over them. Muscles in this area contract and expand, enabling the bird to increase or decrease tension in the membranes and vary the quality of sound produced. Parrots and some other birds can be taught to mimic various sounds including human speech, but they cannot use it to communicate.
Mammals such as dogs and cats have a wide range of voice sounds. The cat, in addition to its cries, hisses, and growls, is the only animal that purrs. It does so by vibrating its vocal cords in a continuous hum. Dogs can bark, growl, or whine in a variety of pitches and levels of sound.
Amphibians such as frogs are the lowest order of vertebrates to have a larynx. Air expelled from the lungs passes over the vocal cords and enters the mouth area. In some frogs, vocal sacs under the throat or near the jaw serve as resonators.
Some animals have no vocal cords but are still able to make vocal sounds. Deep inside the nasal passageways of dolphins are two flaps that overlap like valves. Air blown through the nasal passageway causes the flaps to vibrate, producing a wide array of vocal sounds.
The Science of How Whales use Sound to Communicate
Whales are amazing creatures that live in the vast oceans, and they have a special way of talking to each other – they use sounds! Just like how we use words to communicate, whales use different kinds of noises to send messages to their friends and family. They make clicks, whistles, and even songs! Imagine having your own underwater concert – that's what it's like for whales. They have a special part in their heads called the melon, which helps them send out these sounds. These underwater calls can travel for long distances through the ocean. Whales use these sounds to share important information, like where to find food or to talk to their baby whales, called calves. So, next time you hear about a whale song, remember they are not just singing for fun – they're chatting with their whale buddies in the big, blue ocean!
Whales use sound to communicate through a process called echolocation. Echolocation is like a superpower that helps them "see" and understand their surroundings using sound waves. When a whale makes a click sound, it travels through the water, and when it hits an object, the sound bounces back to the whale. By listening to these echoes, whales can create a mental map of their underwater world, just like how we might use our eyes to see. This is crucial for them to navigate the vast ocean and find food.
The melon, a fatty organ in their heads, plays a vital role in focusing and directing these sounds. It acts like a natural sound lens, helping the whale send out and receive messages effectively. Whales use different types of sounds for various purposes - clicks for navigation and finding food, whistles for socializing, and mesmerizing songs during mating season.
The ability to communicate using sound is not only fascinating but also essential for their survival. It allows whales to stay connected, find each other in the vast ocean, and share important information. So, when you hear about whales using sounds to talk, it's not just about making noise – it's their incredible way of understanding and navigating their underwater world.
Whales are amazing creatures that live in the vast oceans, and they have a special way of talking to each other – they use sounds! Just like how we use words to communicate, whales use different kinds of noises to send messages to their friends and family. They make clicks, whistles, and even songs! Imagine having your own underwater concert – that's what it's like for whales. They have a special part in their heads called the melon, which helps them send out these sounds. These underwater calls can travel for long distances through the ocean. Whales use these sounds to share important information, like where to find food or to talk to their baby whales, called calves. So, next time you hear about a whale song, remember they are not just singing for fun – they're chatting with their whale buddies in the big, blue ocean!
Whales use sound to communicate through a process called echolocation. Echolocation is like a superpower that helps them "see" and understand their surroundings using sound waves. When a whale makes a click sound, it travels through the water, and when it hits an object, the sound bounces back to the whale. By listening to these echoes, whales can create a mental map of their underwater world, just like how we might use our eyes to see. This is crucial for them to navigate the vast ocean and find food.
The melon, a fatty organ in their heads, plays a vital role in focusing and directing these sounds. It acts like a natural sound lens, helping the whale send out and receive messages effectively. Whales use different types of sounds for various purposes - clicks for navigation and finding food, whistles for socializing, and mesmerizing songs during mating season.
The ability to communicate using sound is not only fascinating but also essential for their survival. It allows whales to stay connected, find each other in the vast ocean, and share important information. So, when you hear about whales using sounds to talk, it's not just about making noise – it's their incredible way of understanding and navigating their underwater world.
Try This!
Activity: "Vocal Cord Inquiry for Young Scientists"
Objective: Facilitate an experiential learning session for preschoolers to comprehend the physiological basis of sound production through the exploration of vocal cords.
Materials Needed:
An anatomical illustration or model depicting the human larynx and vocal cords.
Craft materials, including colored paper or modeling clay
Small mirrors for each child.
Instructions:
Introduction to Vocal Cord Anatomy:
Begin by talking briefly about how people use their voices to talk and make different sounds. Explain that inside our throats, we have special parts called vocal cords that help us create the sounds we hear every day. Start the session by providing a concise overview of the anatomical structure of the human throat, focusing on the larynx and vocal cords. Emphasize the role of vocal cords in sound generation.
Vocal Cord Model Craft:
Present an anatomical illustration or model of the larynx and vocal cords.
Distribute craft materials and guide the preschoolers in crafting their own representations of vocal cord structures, ensuring attention to anatomical accuracy.
Mirror-based Observation:
Give each child a small mirror.
Ask them to open their mouths wide and say "Ahh" while looking in the mirror. Help them understand that they are seeing a glimpse of their own vocal cords.
Allow them to make different sounds and observe how their mouths, tongues, and vocal cords move.
Sound Wave Inquiry Game:
Play a simple scientific inquiry guessing game where the children take turns making different sounds using their vocal cords. Encourage them to guess each other's sounds.
You can introduce various prompts like imitating animal sounds or everyday noises.
Encourage hypotheses and discussions about the varying pitch and volume of each sound.
Group Harmonic Exploration:
Gather the preschoolers for a group sing-along session. Choose simple and familiar songs that allow them to use their vocal cords in a fun way and that allow for the investigation of pitch modulation and resonance.
Encourage them to sing along and explore different pitches and volumes.
Conclusion:
Conclude the activity by revisiting key concepts related to vocal cord anatomy and sound production.
Reinforce the understanding that vocal cords are integral to human communication and expression.
Emphasize that using our vocal cords helps us talk, sing, and make various sounds.
Activity: "Vocal Cord Inquiry for Young Scientists"
Objective: Facilitate an experiential learning session for preschoolers to comprehend the physiological basis of sound production through the exploration of vocal cords.
Materials Needed:
An anatomical illustration or model depicting the human larynx and vocal cords.
Craft materials, including colored paper or modeling clay
Small mirrors for each child.
Instructions:
Introduction to Vocal Cord Anatomy:
Begin by talking briefly about how people use their voices to talk and make different sounds. Explain that inside our throats, we have special parts called vocal cords that help us create the sounds we hear every day. Start the session by providing a concise overview of the anatomical structure of the human throat, focusing on the larynx and vocal cords. Emphasize the role of vocal cords in sound generation.
Vocal Cord Model Craft:
Present an anatomical illustration or model of the larynx and vocal cords.
Distribute craft materials and guide the preschoolers in crafting their own representations of vocal cord structures, ensuring attention to anatomical accuracy.
Mirror-based Observation:
Give each child a small mirror.
Ask them to open their mouths wide and say "Ahh" while looking in the mirror. Help them understand that they are seeing a glimpse of their own vocal cords.
Allow them to make different sounds and observe how their mouths, tongues, and vocal cords move.
Sound Wave Inquiry Game:
Play a simple scientific inquiry guessing game where the children take turns making different sounds using their vocal cords. Encourage them to guess each other's sounds.
You can introduce various prompts like imitating animal sounds or everyday noises.
Encourage hypotheses and discussions about the varying pitch and volume of each sound.
Group Harmonic Exploration:
Gather the preschoolers for a group sing-along session. Choose simple and familiar songs that allow them to use their vocal cords in a fun way and that allow for the investigation of pitch modulation and resonance.
Encourage them to sing along and explore different pitches and volumes.
Conclusion:
Conclude the activity by revisiting key concepts related to vocal cord anatomy and sound production.
Reinforce the understanding that vocal cords are integral to human communication and expression.
Emphasize that using our vocal cords helps us talk, sing, and make various sounds.
Questions/Discussion
- What did you learn about vocal cords today?
- How did making different sounds feel when you looked in the mirror?
- Why do you think we have vocal cords?
- What materials did you use to create your vocal cord model, and how do they represent the real thing?
- Can you describe how the pitch of your voice changed when you made different sounds?
- Why do you think we sing songs together?
- How do you think animals communicate using sounds?
- What other sounds can you think of that we make using our vocal cords besides talking and singing?
- How did the vocal cord model you created help you understand the science behind making sounds?
- What was your favorite part of today's activity, and why?
Family Connection
Extension Activities:
- Can you think of other animals that might use sounds to communicate? How do you think they might use their sounds?
- Ask your family members about their favorite songs. Can you find similarities or differences in the way you all use your voices to sing?
- Create a simple chart with your family to record the different sounds you all make in a day. What did you discover about the variety of sounds you produce?
- Try playing a listening game with your family. Close your eyes and listen carefully. Can you identify different sounds around your home?
Extension Activities:
- Family Sound Safari: Encourage children to go on a sound safari at home with their families. Explore different rooms and outdoor spaces, identifying and recording various sounds.
- Create a Family Song: Collaborate with family members to compose a simple song together. Everyone can contribute lyrics or even make up their own musical instruments using household items.
- DIY Vocal Cord Model: Provide materials for families to create a larger, more detailed vocal cord model at home. This can be a creative project where each family member contributes to the anatomy.
- Nature Sound Collage: Have children collect natural materials from outdoor spaces with their families. Create a sound collage by arranging and gluing these items onto a poster board, representing different sounds found in nature.
- Storytelling with Sounds: Encourage families to engage in storytelling using sounds instead of words. Each family member can take turns creating sound effects to accompany a shared story.
- Musical Family Dinner: Turn mealtime into a musical experience. Discuss how different sounds can enhance the dining atmosphere, and experiment with making rhythmic patterns using utensils and glasses.
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