Where's the Sound? Search
Parent makes a gentle sound from different spots and lets baby turn to locate it, building auditory tracking.
- Age0 to 12 months
- TimeUnder 5 minutes
- EnergyCalm
- CostFree
- WhereIndoors
- PrepNone
You make a soft sound from different spots around your baby and let them turn to find where it came from, building their ability to locate sounds. A gentle listening game led by the baby's own searching.
How to do it
- With your baby calm and supported (lying on their back or in supported sitting), get their attention with your face and voice first.
- Move a little to one side, out of their direct view, and make a soft, inviting sound: a gentle shaker, a hum, or your voice.
- Wait and let your baby turn their head or eyes to find the sound. Give them time; do not point or move them toward it.
- When they locate you or the sound, reward them with a warm face and voice, then move to a different spot and repeat.
- Vary the sound and the location gently, keeping it soft and unhurried.
- Stop when your baby loses interest, fusses, or seems overstimulated.
What you need
- Sound maker
Make it yours
Younger, newborn to 3 months: Make sounds close and give plenty of time; even eyes shifting toward the sound is success. Older, 7 months and up: Make the sound from farther around, including behind, and let them turn their whole body to find it. No sound-maker: Your voice alone is ideal; a spoon tapped on a cup or a crinkled paper also work as soft sounds.
Try this with your child.
Tell PLAI™ about your child and this moment. It shapes the activity to fit.
Try it in the app