Sound Under Water

WARNING: Always supervise children when they are in or near water.

What you need

• bath

What to do

Ask your child to put one ear under water and listen as you tap the side of the bath tub. Tap it again when they are above the water so they can compare the two sounds. Encourage them to try it themselves.

What they learn

Young children are constantly learning by how their senses perceive things. This fun game allows them to experience hearing in a different way so that they understand that sound travels differently through water and air. When they are underwater the tapping will sound louder because sound travels better underwater.

Encouragement questions

• What does it sound like?
• Which is louder, when you ear is underwater or above the water?