Music Shakers

Materials 

1. Small, empty water bottles with lids
2. Funnels
3. Small sound-producing items (such as beads or small buttons)
4. Tape
5. Markers
6. Stickers
7. Music tapes or CDs
8. Sticks (tongue depressors, craft sticks, and 6-8" pieces of small dowel rods)

Instructions

1. Open the empty bottles to let the insides dry completely. Give one to each child.
2. Show the children how to use a funnel to place the sound-making objects of their choice into their bottles.
3. Screw the lids on tightly and tape for extra security.
4. Let the children decorate the outside of their bottles with permanent markers and stickers.
5. Play music and encourage the children to shake their bottles with the music.
6. Provide small sticks for them to rub on the ridges on the sides of the bottle to make a different sound.
7. If desired, have the children make a classroom set by putting one type of item into each bottle.

Instructions

1. Provide a variety of seashells for the children to explore.
2. Ask them to sort the shells in any manner they want. Encourage the children
to discuss their groups.
3. Encourage children to glue shells on a piece of cardstock to make a design.
Let them use pens, markers, and paint to decorate their design.
More to do Large motor: Do the "crab" walk! Children lie down on their backs and use their
arms and legs to walk sideways like a crab.