"The Magical Journey Through Sound History" - A Fun Trip Through Time! For kids ages 5-12
Educational and Fun Activities
Written by Gregg Payne
08 July 2024
🕓 5 min
Have you ever wondered what the world sounded like hundreds of years ago? Sound has been a part of our lives since ancient times, helping people communicate, create music, and share stories. But sound hasn't always been the same—over time, humans have invented new instruments, developed recording technology, and found amazing ways to use sound in everyday life.
In this post, we’ll take a magical journey through time, exploring key moments in sound history. Along the way, we’ll dive into fun activities that let kids ages 5-12 experience sound history for themselves!
1. Ancient Sounds: The First Music Makers
Let’s start our journey thousands of years ago, when early humans discovered that they could create sound by banging on objects or blowing into hollow bones. These simple instruments became the foundation of music. Some of the earliest instruments included drums, flutes, and horns.
Fun Activity:
Make your own ancient instrument!
- Drum: Use an empty container and stretch a piece of cloth or plastic wrap over the top. Tap on the surface with your fingers or a spoon.
- Flute: Create a simple flute by poking holes in a paper towel roll. Blow gently through one end to produce sound.
Talk to your child about how ancient people used similar instruments to make music, tell stories, or communicate with each other.
2. The Middle Ages: Bells and Choirs
Fast forward to the Middle Ages, when bells and choirs were commonly heard throughout cities and villages. Bells were used to call people to church or announce important events, while Gregorian chants, sung by monks, echoed through cathedrals and monasteries.
Fun Activity:
Take your child to visit a local church or clock tower where they can hear bells ring.
At home, play a recording of a Gregorian chant and encourage your child to listen to the way the voices harmonise. You can even try singing together and create your own choir!
For more ways to explore sound, check out our post The Symphony of Sound: A Parent's Guide to Exploring Sound with Your Children.
3. The Renaissance: New Musical Instruments
During the Renaissance, people began inventing more complex instruments, like the violin and the harpsichord. These instruments could play multiple notes at once, allowing musicians to compose more sophisticated melodies. This period marked the beginning of orchestras and more organised musical performances.
Fun Activity:
Create a string instrument at home using an empty box and rubber bands. Stretch the rubber bands around the box and pluck them to hear different pitches. Explain how early musicians used string instruments like the violin to create beautiful music.
4. The 19th Century: Recording Sound for the First Time
Now let’s jump ahead to the late 1800s, when inventor Thomas Edison created the first phonograph. This invention allowed people to record sound and play it back—a revolutionary moment in sound history. For the first time, people could listen to voices, music, and sounds long after they were made!
Fun Activity:
Record your child’s voice or a family conversation using a smartphone or computer, and play it back. Explain how the phonograph was the very first device that made this possible. Imagine how amazing it must have been to hear someone’s voice from a recording for the first time!
For more on how sound recording has evolved, check out our post The Fantastic World of Sound in Industry and Technology.
5. The 20th Century: The Birth of Radio
Next, we arrive in the early 1900s, when the invention of the radio made it possible for people to listen to music, news, and stories broadcast over the airwaves. Radios became a staple in homes around the world, bringing sound and entertainment into daily life.
Fun Activity:
If you have access to a radio, tune into a local station and listen with your child. Explain that, in the early days of radio, families would gather around to listen to their favourite programmes. Compare it to how we listen to podcasts or streaming music today.
6. The Digital Age: From Cassettes to Streaming
By the late 20th century, people were using cassette tapes, CDs, and eventually MP3 players to listen to their favourite songs. Today, we can listen to music and sounds instantly through streaming platforms, making sound more accessible than ever before.
Fun Activity:
Show your child how different devices were used to listen to music before smartphones and streaming became popular. If you have an old cassette tape or CD player, let them experience how people used to play music. Talk about how music listening has changed with modern technology.
7. The Future of Sound: 3D Audio and Beyond
As our journey through sound history comes to an end, we look toward the future. With advances in 3D audio, we can now experience sound in a way that feels as if it’s all around us, making movies, games, and music more immersive. Sound is also being used in healthcare, where ultrasound helps doctors see inside the body without surgery.
Fun Activity:
If your child is interested in sound technology, introduce them to a simple music-making app, like GarageBand or Audacity, where they can create their own songs or soundscapes. Talk about how sound technology is constantly evolving and imagine what new discoveries the future may hold!
Final Thoughts
Sound has an incredible history that has shaped the way we communicate, entertain, and connect with the world. By taking your child on this magical journey through sound history, you’re helping them understand how sound evolved and encouraging them to think about its impact on our lives today and in the future.
If your child loves exploring the science of sound, why not join our Science of Sound holiday camps? Our camps offer interactive, hands-on experiences where children can dive deep into the world of sound, music, and technology. Find out more about our upcoming camps here and give your child the chance to discover the magical world of sound!
