small plastic containers (screw on lids work best)
hot glue and hot glue gun
small objects as listed below
Take small containers, like what you can find at the Dollar Store, ones with screw top lids work best. You will need hot glue (use that when the children are napping!) and a variety of small objects (examples: marbles; coins; old metal screws, nuts, bolts; rice; uncooked noodles; colorful beads; small jingle bells; small wooden blocks or beads; small plastic objects like mini easter eggs; scraps of colorful fabric.
Put enough of each object to fill the container ½ to ¾ full. Leave room at the top for the child to experience the sound the objects make when you shake them. Seal the top of the containers with hot glue and let it cool. Then give them to your child and let them shake them, stack them, knock them down, and explore the sounds they make. One note: the container with the jingle bells you may want to poke small holes in the top and sides so they can hear the jingle bells as they shake the container.
From Nicole, a Developmental Therapist, a reader, Indiana; U.S.A.
