St Nicholas Early Education Chisholm let the drops of rain transform into creativity and exploration by creating a water xylophone. Bringing melodic fun to a rainy day, they explored the principles of music making and more.
This musical adventure offered a rich learning opportunity across multiple domains:
- STEM: investigating how sound waves work, how water levels affect pitch, and how volume changes with different materials.
- Fine motor: pouring, measuring, and handling jars helped refine coordination and control.
- Creative expression: by layering sounds and creating rhythmic patterns, children expressed themselves through their own musical compositions.
Make your own
Here is how to made one:
You will need:
- Collect six similar sized jars or cups
- Food colours of choice
- Water
- Spoons or other tapping utensils
How to make:
- Fill each jar with a different amount of water.
- Add a few drops of food colouring to each jar for a rainbow effect.
- Mix the colours gently with a spoon.
- Use a spoon or stick to tap each jar and listen to the different pitches.
- Encourage your child to explore rhythms, patterns, and even compose their own tune
Tip: The more water in the jar, the lower the pitch.
Why not try this at home?
