We can hardly BEAR the fun!

Light your 3-4 year old's imagination with this clever focussed listening activity. Bring him into Brown Bear's world using both body and instrumental percussion. Printout a copy of Brown Bear and colour him in to join the fun.Use strong body percussion claps and lap slaps to create a mood of expectation while asking this intriguing question: "Brown (clap), Bear (slap), Brown (clap),  Bear (slap), What (clap), do you (slap), hear? (clap, slap).Ask your child, "What is Brown Bear about to hear?"   "Can you help me choose a sound for Brown Bear?" Have only two or three percussion choices when you first introduce this activity. After a few weeks widen the choices, encouraging your child to lead the listening game himself. Home made shakers and tapping sticks (wooden spoons) are perfect.Selecting a percussion sound, for instance, egg shakers, shake them loudly so your child can hear exactly what they sound like. All say together "SHAKERS"(in answer to the question "what do you hear?").Repeat the question: "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you hear?" Use the body percussion and RAP your voice to accentuate the question.Choose a second percussion instrument, for instance tapping sticks. Say "TAPPING STICKS" out aloud to reinforce the sound.Repeat the activity from the beginning a few times and then try this extension: Tell your child that you are going to be Brown Bear. You are going to turn around and pretend that you are in your den. You want your child to say the words and then play an instrument behind your back. You may have to help him at first but children delight in trickery and he will soon be trying to trick you with the different sounds! Then, change places and your child can be Brown Bear. This activity is fantastic for establishing and practicing listening skills.