Discovery Play Activities with Your Young Child: String Telephone

Discovery Play Activities with Your Young Child: String Telephone

STEM

Science

Cross-cutting Concepts

Levels of Thinking

Resources are categorized by whether they target foundational levels of thinking or levels of thinking that extend past foundational levels (expanding).

Suggested AdaptationS

Check out our guide to adaptations. Adapt for environment, materials, instruction.

General Guide to Adaptations

Description

Sound is everywhere. Sound waves are made by vibrations and can travel through different mediums, such as air, water, and objects. In this activity, children can learn about how vibrations are made and how the sound is produced.

Environment

  • Minimize distracting sounds and activities
  • Put materials within reach
  • Provide borders for the areas to stand when using the string telephone
  • Make sure your child has a comfortable place to sit or stand during this activity

Materials

  • Have child’s assistive technology ready and available, including augmentative & alternative communication (AAC) device
  • Consider using tools/assistive devices (e.g., grabber, reacher, Velcro strap)
  • For children with hearing impairment, have the child hold the cup and ask what they feel when speaking into it
  • Provide a variety of different cups (plastic, wood, metal, sizes) and strings (yarn, ribbon, rope)

Instruction

  • Use a variety of methods of communication (e.g., sign language, gestures) to meaningfully engage children
  • Model and demonstrate how to interact with materials
  • With a third person, make sure the child can experience and try both ends of the phone with support. Start close together and slowly move apart
  • Use visual and verbal prompts when it is your child’s turn to listen or make a sound
  • Allow longer waiting time for child to respond and/or process this activity

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STEM Ideas/Words

STEMIE Learning Trajectories