Listening for Sounds

Identify common sounds in their environment. The learner may close their eyes and listen to environmental noises (i.e., birds, air conditioner, cat purring) or sounds from an audio or video recording (i.e., YouTube).

PURPOSE

This activity helps improve sensitivity to sound as well as perception of non-speech sounds.

• Step 1

  Play a variety of sounds one at a time for the learner. Some examples of sounds that can be used include but are not limited to: planes, trains, cars, children playing, birds chirping, and animal noises.

• Step 2

  Draw a simple picture of each of these sounds OR if the learner is able to read, write the label of the sound. Ask the learner to identify/point to each of these sounds as he hears them one by one. (Place a picture of a dog, a cat, and a phone in front of the learner. Play the sound of a cat’s meow and ask the learner to point to the sound he just heard.)