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Introduction
In this unit we will see: the importance of making the children feel secure in their new environment how multi-sensory learning can help children learn how to improve inadequate classrooms how to organise a classroom At the end of the unit we will have the opportunity to: use vocabulary related to classroom activities, materials and furniture distinguish between a well set up classroom and a poorly set up classroom listen to expert advice about classroom design read articles about classroom activity areas The activities in this unit provide you with the knowledge you need to carry out the final tasks. (*) Banco de imgenes del MEC
Completa
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Wendy: O.K, good. Glue, scissors, scrap paper all clearly shelf. Mike: Look, the scissors for left-handed people because they have a ribbon tied onto each one. Wendy: That's a really good idea, especially for the five-year olds. Mike: Crayons, felt-tip pens and pencils over here. Wendy: And rubbers? Mike: I prefer to Wendy: What about the poster paint? Mike: It's in this plastic box the brushes, sponges, newspapers and wet-wipes. Wendy: Good. Mike: I've put the beads for threading onto laces over here with the building blocks and the coloured pegs in this semi-enclosed area. Wendy: Good idea, stop them getting spread all over the class. Mike: And the puzzles are over here in the , all sorted and in the right boxes Wendy: Excellent. the rubbers otherwise they get eaten or pulled apart. and on the same
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Secure Base: The main idea behind healthy development in young children is the child's ability to form secure relationships with adult caregivers. When children feel secure and know that their needs will be met, they can focus their attention on exploring the world around them. With a secure base, a child can take in all the wonders of the world. This concept of providing the young child with a secure base is very important to take into account when planning the classroom space and the things in it.
Elige la correcta
Question 1 Which of the following is not an example of an 'adult caregiver' at a school? teacher nursery assistant parent Question 2 'Take in' from the sentence 'A child can take in all over the world' means... made smaller subscribe to understand Question 3 'Take into account' means... to consider to add up to save
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Activity 1
Read the text about the classroom.
Infant Classroom: An early childhood classroom is made up of a lot of smaller parts. but the organization of the individual areas has to be considered as a whole and how they fit together to form the layout of the classroom. The support of multi-sensory learning should also be a key consideration in the design and setup of the classroom environment. Responsiveness to sights, smells, tactile sensations, sounds, and tastes is far more intense for very young children than it is for adults. So these multi-sensory experiences that children have in the classroom can be seen as being full of meaning for them. The infant classroom should therefore be turned into a world of stimulation and multi-sensory discovery.
Now answer the following questions in order to show you have understood the text. Elige la correcta
Question 1 What is an 'early childhood classroom'? A classroom for early risers. A classroom for very young children. A classroom for children with special needs Question 2 'Made up of' means... invented by comprised of built from Question 3 According to the text... Adults are more responsive to multi-sensory experiences than children. Adults are less responsive to multi-sensory experiences than children. Adults are just as responsive to multi-sensory experiences as children Question 4 Multi-sensory learning uses... a few of the senses almost all of the senses all of the senses
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Activity 2
Read the text about the classroom.
Over-stimulation: In poorly designed environments, well-intentioned staff members experience ongoing frustration because they find themselves spending a great deal of time 'managing' the children in order to avert problems, which leaves less time for building emotionally supportive relationships and providing optimal learning experiences. Inadequate classrooms force teachers to act as magicians, entertainers, and disciplinarians, not leaving them with enough time to be educators.
Now listen to the two teachers talking about how to solve a frustrating situation. (*) Banco de imgenes del MEC Audio
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Listening
Fill in the gaps Listen to the teachers again and this time fill in the gaps with the words provided. Audio
Completa
simple sitting
tempting turning
Charles: I don't know what to do to get the kids properly in the assembly. Barbara: What's the problem? Charles: Well, they keep and round with the toys stored behind them. the toys.
Barbara: You know what to do, don't you? Charles: Barbara: Not get rid of them, just move them to a place where they can't see them. Charles: As Barbara: If they have such a stimulus so close to them, they are hardly going to listen to you, are they? Charles: I suppose not. Barbara: Over-stimulating environments can be very distracting. Try it and you'll see the . as that?
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Activity 3
Read the text about the classroom and then proceed with the activities
Keep It Tidy: Keeping a classroom orderly and organized is important for maintaining children's interest and providing just the right amount of stimulation. To avoid overstimulation, teachers should learn to place items not currently being used in storage. Adequate and organized storage rooms make controlling the right amount of stimulation a real necessity. Teachers can experiment with offering fewer materials in a more thoughtful way. This can present opportunities for more purposeful play. Children will need less adult intervention if materials are controlled before they are allowed to play.
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Tidy Classroom
Use of Trays Listen to the two teachers talking about keeping the classroom tidy and proceed with the activities to show you have understood the gist of the conversation:
Audio
Elige la correcta
Question 1 Who did the cutting and sticking? Mike Wendy Question 2 Wendy thinks they shouldn't be cutting and sticking yet. True False Question 3 The children .... all the pieces onto the floor. throw drop push Question 4 What is a tray? A box for storing things A flat container for carrying things Question 5 Who has seen the beautiful trays? Mike Wendy Question 6 Wendy says... Trays help the children to organise their work Trays are good for carrying things
Listening
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Using Trays Read the conversation while you listen and repeat the activity.
Trays: Mike: We did some cutting and sticking with the 3-year-olds yesterday. Wendy: Oh yes, I was going to talk to you about that. Mike: Don't you think they should be cutting and sticking yet? Wendy: No, it's not that. It's just that you left the class in a bit of a mess. Mike: You're right. They just drop all the pieces on the floor and the glue always rolls onto the floor too. Wendy: Listen Mike. I've been thinking about this and we need to come up with a solution. I have seen these beautiful individual trays. Mike: So each child does their cutting and sticking on a tray. Wendy: That's right. So when they have finished, they can just brush the pieces into the recycling box. Mike: Will it work? Wendy: Oh yes. I've seen it work before. It also limits their workspace and helps them to organise their own work better.
Audio
Elige la correcta
Question 1 Who did the cutting and sticking? Mike Wendy Question 2 Wendy thinks they shouldn't be cutting and sticking yet. True False Question 3 The children .... all the pieces onto the floor. throw drop push Question 4 What is a tray? A box for storing things A flat container for carrying things Question 5
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Who has seen the beautiful trays? Mike Wendy Question 6 Wendy says... Trays help the children to organise their work Trays are good for carrying things
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Creating An Environment: A classroom should offer opportunities for encouraging playfulness, mystery, wonder, and awe. Children enjoy getting up high and looking down on the whole room, crawling inside a small space, hiding, and peeking out of tiny places. When creating an environment, step back and look at the space. If it is jumbled, chaotic, unwelcoming and overwhelming for an adult, it most certainly affects the quality of the learning experience, and the brain development of the child.
Now proceed with the activity to show you have understood the specific vocabulary from the text. Match the words to their equivalents. Relaciona Match the words to their equivalent synonym or definition
untidy
awe
incredulity
crawling
over-powering
peeking
veneration
jumbled
unwelcoming
overwhelming
hostile
wonder
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Activity 1
Safety
Read the text about the classroom. (*) Banco de imgenes del MEC
Safe Environment: Safety is one of the most important concerns in a group-care setting. In a safe environment, children move about freely and explore without the teacher worrying about children getting hurt. The teacher can spend time in positive interaction with the children, rather than patrolling a 'no' environment. Safe environments have: developmentally appropriate equipment made of non-toxic materials such as wood. non-slip floors. stable shelves, objects and fixtures with rounded corners. steps toddlers can use to reach the changing table so that caregivers will not have to lift them. As soon as a baby starts crawling, you can count on the fact that children will discover every hidden danger in the environment. That means the child's caregivers need to discover those hidden dangers first and eliminate them.
Now listen to a teacher venting his problems to another teacher and try to answer the questions to show what you have been able to hear in the classroom. Audio
Sit down children. John, put that chair away. Be careful Put those blocks down. Can you find your own chair. Will you all sit down.
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Will you all sit down!! Jeff: Listen Sarah, I just don't know what to do with 2A. Sarah: What? Are you talking about the four-year-olds? Jeff: Yes, listen to this. I've recorded myself in a class. What do you think? Sarah: O.K. Let's listen. (Jeff, speaking to his class) Sit down everybody. Come on, sit down. John! Put that chair down. Come here. Be careful! Susy! Put those blocks down now.It's time to sit down. Come on Lizzie can you get down off the table, please? Mary that's Jamie's chair, can you find your own chair please? Will you all sit down, please? Sit down!!!
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Activity 2
Sarah's Advice Listen to Sarah's advice to Jeff. Audio
Elige la correcta
Question 1 Sarah says that Jeff should... Change to a different classroom Change some things in his classroom Question 2 Sarah recommends that the kids should always... sit on their own benches sit in the same place on a bench Question 3 When Jeff says, 'I see' he means that... he understands Sarah he is looking at Sarah Question 4 Sarah says that Jeff should... keep the toys hidden from view hide the toys in another clssroom Question 5 What does Jeff say about Sarah's advice? he will see if it works he will ignore it
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Sarah's Advice to Jeff Sarah: Listen Jeff. You need to do a few things in your classroom. Jeff: O.K. Sarah: Instead of chairs, make them sit on benches. That way you won't have any of the dangerous chair moving. Jeff: I see. Sarah: If you want, you can assign a fixed place for each child, you know, each bench has a colour that corresponds to a certain group. Jeff: Yellow team on the yellow bench. Sarah: You've got it. Now, make sure you keep the blocks and other toys out of sight and out of reach. That way they are not tempted. Jeff: Up on the shelf. Sarah: RIght. And why don't you sing a 'Sit Down' song they can join in with. Jeff: Thanks Sarah. I'll try out your advice.
Audio
Elige la correcta
Question 1 Sarah says that Jeff should... Change to a different classroom Change some things in his classroom Question 2 Sarah recommends that the kids should always... sit on their own benches sit in the same place on a bench Question 3 When Jeff says, 'I see' he means that... he understands Sarah he is looking at Sarah Question 4 Sarah says that Jeff should... keep the toys hidden from view hide the toys in another clssroom Question 5 What does Jeff say about Sarah's advice? he will see if it works he will ignore it
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Activity 3
Listen to an expert talking about healthy and comfortable classrooms while you read the text and answer the questions to show you have understood the most important vocabulary.
A Healthy and Comfortable Environment: Health is a fundamental issue when caring for infants and toddlers. Both children and adults must be protected from infection and illness, above all by a well kept environment. Apart from the obvious sanitary questions, it is important to make sure that the room provides the correct levels of heat, light, ventilation and acoustics. All of these have an impact on the development of children's health. Since smell is one of the most important indicators of a healthy environment, clean floors and furnishings are of utmost importance. Ideally, a child care center would need to have an effcient air exchange system but failing that, the teacher should make sure the class is regularly aired. A comfortable environment creates a calming atmosphere and allows both infants and caregivers to function without stress. Reducing clutter, giving attention to attractive displays, and introducing nature in the room are some ways to bring about a harmonious and relaxing mood. Try soft and natural colours on walls and furnishings. Use natural light as much as possible. Foam tiles and mats as well as rugs help to absorb noise. Don't forget the comfort of the adults working in the centre. Soft cushions, pillows and back supports for adults sitting on the floor help make the environment comfortable.
Audio
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mood
looking after
caring
paramount
allows
permits
clutter
disorder
impact
cause
bring about
atmosphere
utmost
influence
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Classroom Convenience
Convenience Read the text about the convenience of the classroom environment and then proceed with the activities.
A Convenient Environment: A convenient environment is one in which both infants and adults can easily see, find, and access materials. Make sure the arrangement of equipment is clear and visible to all who use the space. Materials should be grouped together logically. Since infants and toddlers cannot read labels, they take cues from the way each area is organized to stimulate their interaction with the environment. Feeding and toilet areas must be clean, bright and convenient. That means the environment must be easy to clean and easy to work in. The equipment should be scaled so that picking up, bending over, and reaching are kept to a minimum. Storage is so important in a smoothly run classroom. Adequate storage and proper placement of storage makes things run easily and efficiently.
(*) Banco de imgenes del MEC Now listen to two teachers talking about the organisation of the new classroom. Audio
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Activity 1
Listen to the conversation again and fill in the missing words
Audio
Completa
Wendy: O.K, good. Glue, scissors, scrap paper all clearly shelf. Mike: Look, the scissors for left-handed people because they have a ribbon tied onto each one. Wendy: That's a really good idea, especially for the five-year olds. Mike: Crayons, felt-tip pens and pencils over here. Wendy: And rubbers? Mike: I prefer to Wendy: What about the poster paint? Mike: It's in this plastic box the brushes, sponges, newspapers and wet-wipes. Wendy: Good. Mike: I've put the beads for threading onto laces over here with the building blocks and the coloured pegs in this semi-enclosed area. Wendy: Good idea, stop them getting spread all over the class. Mike: And the puzzles are over here in the , all sorted and in the right boxes Wendy: Excellent. the rubbers otherwise they get eaten or pulled apart. and on the same
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Activity 2
Now read this similar text while you listen and proceed with the activity.
Infant Classroom: Mike: I've set up the new classroom. I wanted to get your opinion. Wendy: Oh Dear! Glue, paint and blocks all mixed up together on the same shelf. Mike: Look, the scissors for left-handed people are separated from the others. Wendy: That's a good idea but they will probably get mixed up if you don't give them some distinguishing mark. Mike: Crayons, felt-tip pens and pencils over here. Wendy: And rubbers? Mike: Mixed in with the pencils. Wendy: Be careful, they will probably end up chewing them up and breaking them. What about the paint? Mike: It's in this cardboard box with the brushes, sponges, newspapers and wet-wipes. Wendy: Maybe you should put all those things into a plastic box. Mike: I've put the beads for threading onto laces over here with the building blocks and the coloured pegs in this semi-enclosed area. Wendy: Good idea, stop them getting spread all over the class. Mike: And the puzzles are over here in the cubby hole, all shoved into the same bag. Wendy: Right, you'll need to sort them out and put them into the right boxes.
Audio
Verdadero o falso Decide whether the sentences are true or false according to the text.
Verdadero Falso
QUESTION 1 Mike wanted to find out what Wendy thought about the class set up QUESTION 2 If you don't put a mark on the scissors they will get mixed up. QUESTION 3 Wendy suggests putting thepaint into a cardboard box. QUESTION 4 Mike has finished tidying up all the puzzles
Activity 3
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Listen to the text and fit a suitable synonym to the word you hear in the text. (*) Banco de imgenes del MEC
Completa
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Mike: I've set up the new classroom. I wanted to get your opinion. Wendy: Oh Dear! Glue, paint and blocks all together on the same shelf. Mike: Look, the scissors for left-handed people are separated from the others. Wendy: That's a good idea but they will probably get mixed up if you don't give them some Mike: Crayons, felt-tip pens and pencils over here. Wendy: And Mike: Mixed in with the pencils. Wendy: Be careful, they will probably end up chewing them up and breaking them. What about the paint? Mike: It's in this cardboard box with the brushes, sponges, newspapers and wet-wipes. Wendy: things into a plastic box. Mike: I've put the beads for threading onto laces over here with the building blocks and the coloured pegs in this semi-enclosed area. Wendy: Good idea, stop them getting all over the class. Mike: And the puzzles are over here in the cubby hole, all put them into the right boxes. into the same bag. Wendy: Right, you'll need to sort them out and you should put all those ? mark.
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Classroom Space
Read the text about space and then proceed with the activities.
Space: To create a flexible room: Use equipment that is easy to move, lightweight and mobile Use adjustable equipment that will keep up with growing children Store a variety of toys, materials, and equipment in a convenient place Combine some activity areas to maximize the use of your space: for example, the messy activities can take place in the mealtime area.
Choose the correct definitions for the following words to show you have understood the text. Elige la correcta
1. EQUIPMENT Apparatus Team Clothing 2. LIGHTWEIGHT Heavy Featherlight Dense 3. KEEP UP WITH Hold Maintain the same pace Store in a high place 4. MESSY Extended Dirty Untidy 5. MEALTIME Moment for eating Moment for sleeping Moment for playing
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Activty 1
Listen to this person talking about open space (Audio 1) while you read the text and then proceed with the activities.
Open Space: An Open Space No matter what type of setting you have, plan to keep part of it open. Placing all the large equipment around the edge of the room allows you to keep the middle part open and to alter it as needed. An open central part lets the children see what activities are available throughout the room. The children can also see the teacher across the room, and the caregiver can see and respond to any child who needs attention. An open area creates maximum flexibility and lets children move easily between areas and explore their independence.
Now listen to two teachers talking about the way they organise their classrooms. (Audio 2) Audio 1 Audio 2
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Completa
set up should CLASSROOM SPACE Rupert: How do you classroom? Mary: Well, I a big open space in the Rupert: I put the
believe trodden on
furniture centre
one side of the room but the children always end up running round the tables in an endless circuit and they always trip over the chair legs. Mary: Oh, I know what you mean. Rupert: It's terrible. Mary: When it's play time, you block off one end. Rupert: I could put the relaxing area there. Mary: Right, that way they don't get .
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Completa
order stepped on ought to CLASSROOM SPACE Rupert: How do you classroom? Mary: Well, I a big open space in the Rupert: I put the
one side of the room but the children always end up running round the tables in an endless circuit and they always trip over the chair legs. Mary: Oh, I know what you mean. Rupert: It's terrible. Mary: When it's play time, you block off one end. Rupert: I could put the relaxing area there. Mary: Right, that way they don't get .
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Activity 2
Not Enough Room Listen to the two teachers talking about limited space. Look at the related content on limited space.
Limited Space: Working with Limited Space Rupert: We need to get rid of those old tables. Mary: You mean those green ones? Rupert: Yes, just the other day one of the kids gave himself a nasty knock on the side of his face. I think they're too high. Mary: Listen. Why don't we get a few more tables and move those green tables to the other classroom? Rupert: You've read my mind. Look. These are the best I've seen. Mary: I really like the work table with storage space underneath. Rupert: I'm rather keen on the tables that make an 'S' shape when joined together. Mary: I like both. Rupert: O.K. I'll get a quote on the storage table and the 'S' shape and if it's not too expensive we could think about the other classrooms too.
Audio
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Verdadero o falso Decide whether the following statements are true or false depending on what the teachers actually said.
Verdadero Falso
Question 1 They want to get rid of the old green tables Question 2 One of the children banged his head on a chair. Question 3 Rupert thinks the chairs are too old. Question 4 Rupert doesn't understand Mary at one point Question 5 Mary only likes the storage tables. Question 6 They agree on the things they need to buy.
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Limited Space: Working with Limited Space Rupert: We need to get rid of those old chairs. Mary: You mean those blue ones? Rupert: Yes, just the other day one of the kids gave himself a nasty knock on the knee. I think they're too low. Mary: Listen. Why don't we get a lot more tables and move those blue tables to the other building? Rupert: I don't understand. Look. These are the best I've seen. Mary: I really like the work table with storage space underneath. Rupert: I'm rather keen on the tables that make an 'S' shape when joined together. Mary: I only like the storage table. Rupert: O.K. I'll get a quote on the storage table and the 'S' shape and if it's not too expensive we could think about buying one of the two.
Audio
Verdadero o falso Decide whether the following statements are true or false depending on what the teachers actually said.
Verdadero Falso
Question 1 They want to get rid of the old green tables Question 2 One of the children banged his head on a chair. Question 3 Rupert thinks the chairs are too old. Question 4 Rupert doesn't understand Mary at one point Question 5 Mary only likes the storage tables. Question 6 They agree on the things they need to buy.
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Activity Areas
Give it a Mood Read the text about activity areas and then proceed with the activities.
Activity Areas: Think of activity areas as separate places, like little islands. Then work to make them feel separate. You can do that by making sure each activity area is in a separate physical location with boundaries that separate it from other areas. You can even try to give it a mood, feeling or personality. Each part of the environment has an impact on the children and adults who use the space, so consider the kind of effect you would like each area to have, and how it aids your teaching objectives.
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Activity 1
Listen to two teachers talking about how to improve the materials they use for their classroom activities. Audio
Verdadero o falso Decide whether the following statements are true or false according to the conversation you have just listened to.
Verdadero Falso
STATEMENT 1 The materials of the curtains need changing STATEMENT 2 The 4-year-old's classroom needs changing STATEMENT 3 They are going to buy a textures box STATEMENT 4 It is best to use very small stones STATEMENT 5 The sandpaper is for feeling the texture
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Activity 2
Now read while you listen and try the true or false activity again.
We need to change something: Mike: We need to do something about the 3-year-old's classroom. Wendy: You're right. Mike: We should change some of the learning materials in the class. Wendy: I think it would be a good idea if we could introduce more multi-sensory learning. Mike: I'm glad you think that, because I've already made a list of the different things we could buy. Each picture has a description. See what you think. Wendy: I love the list Mike. Let's also make a textures box with different materials for them to touch and feel - silk, satin, fur, wool, sack cloth, wood, metal... Mike: O.K. we could put some sandpaper in there too. Wendy: Good idea. Mike: Smooth stones, rough stones? Wendy: Make sure they are not too small. We don't want anyone choking on anything, do we?
Verdadero o falso Decide whether the following statements are true or false according to the conversation you have just listened to.
Verdadero Falso
STATEMENT 1 The materials of the curtains need changing STATEMENT 2 The 4-year-old's classroom needs changing STATEMENT 3 They are going to buy a textures box STATEMENT 4 It is best to use very small stones STATEMENT 5 The sandpaper is for feeling the texture
Mike's list
Check out the Materials Click on the link to see a brochure of the possible learning materials that Mike wants to buy for the classroom and then proceed with the activities. Elige la correcta
Question 1 Which of the following do not apply to the 'Oball Rattle'? It is... light easy to hold
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10cm across made of latex Question 2 The 'Ballino' is made of... Plastic Wood Latex Question 3 The 'Ballino' makes a noise when you play with it. True False Question 4 The 'Mini-Maracas' make a quiet noise. True False Question 5 The 'Mini Maracas' come in a variety of colours. True False Question 6 The 'Egg Shaker' is... for shaking eggs for making music Question 7 The 'Classic Accordian' allos the child to... develop awareness of colours experiment with sound
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