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Sensorial: Sound Cylinders

The Sound Cylinders tutorial is part of the Sensorial area of the Montessori classroom. Through matching sounds, children will learn auditory discrimination as well as a sense of order.  There are also some fun extensions that can be applied to this very simple lesson.

Montessori Sound Cylinders

Have a look at the below tutorial by My Montessori Works for an example of Sound Cylinders in action:

As you will have noticed, the Sound Cylinders activity can easily be applied in a home context. All you need are some sound cylinders, which could be spice jars (as used in the tutorial) or any type of small container that can hold items that will be used to make a sound when shaken by the child. Then you’ll split the containers into two colour-coded sets (4 in each) and pair the jars – one jar from each set – by placing identical items ( rice, sand, beans pasta, stones, beads, sand, coins, marbles etc.) in each pair so that children will be able to match the cylinders according to sound.

(Note that children should not be able to see inside the containers as the point of the exercise is to match by ear, not sight.)

Children will be able to use the jars independently and once confident in matching sounds, an  extension of the activity (as suggested in the tutorial) is to have the child line up the jars in order in order of volume an identify sounds as louder or softer, incorporating language into the activity. And what about a music lesson? The Sound Cylinders make perfect rhythmic shakers!

Have fun with these – there are so many fun ways to incorporate Sound Cylinders into learning.  And if you’d like further information about this tutorial, feel free to contact us at info@saintandrewsmontessori.com. We’re happy to answer any questions.

Photo credit: Montessorium.com