What Can You Hear in the City
What can you hear? Series
What’s inside...
What Can You Hear?: In the City is an engaging sound book series by Priddy Books that introduces young children to the bustling sounds of a city. With 10 unique city sounds embedded in a board book, children can press diamond-shaped buttons to hear sounds such as a bicycle bell, an emergency siren, bouncing toys, and more. As they interact with the book, children will explore various city scenes including a shopping centre, a park, and a construction site, making it a fun and immersive experience for early learners.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-5
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What sounds stood out to you the most in the city, and why do you think they made an impression on you?
Can you think of any sounds in our city that are similar or different to the ones in the book?
How do you think the people in the city feel about all the different noises?
If you could add a sound to the city in the book, what would it be and why?
How do you imagine the city would change if it was very quiet one day?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child what sounds they expect to hear in a city setting to activate their prior knowledge.
While reading, allow your child to mimic or make sounds they hear in the story to create an interactive experience.
Discuss personal experiences with city sounds or plan a visit to observe these noises, bridging connections between the book and real life.
Encourage your child to describe the sounds using adjectives to enhance their vocabulary and sensory description skills.
Post-reading, ask your child to draw a scene from the book, focusing on including elements that make sounds, to deepen their understanding and retention.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Mindfulness and Awareness
Explanation: The book encourages children to pay attention to the various sounds around them in a city environment, promoting mindfulness.
Real-World Application: Children can practice mindfulness in daily life by noticing and discussing the sounds they hear in different settings, such as at home, school, or during a walk in the park.
Example Lesson: Understanding Diversity
Explanation: Through the variety of sounds, the book highlights the diverse activities and interactions occurring in a city, teaching children about the multicultural and bustling nature of urban life.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to appreciate and respect diverse environments and cultures they encounter in their own cities and neighborhoods.
Example Lesson: Sensory Learning
Explanation: By focusing on auditory experiences, 'What Can You Hear in the City' helps children develop their listening skills—critical for language development and cognitive growth.
Real-World Application: Children can engage in listening games, trying to identify sources of different sounds, which can enhance their auditory discrimination and language skills.
Example Lesson: Environmental Awareness
Explanation: By identifying different sounds, children can understand the layers of city life, including natural sounds like birds chirping, which fosters an appreciation for coexisting with nature in urban settings.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to take part in local environmental initiatives like community gardening or wildlife conservation in cities.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Curiosity
Explanation: Hearing and discussing the sounds of various city dwellers fosters empathy and curiosity about the lives of others in the community.
Real-World Application: Children can be motivated to ask questions and learn more about the people in their community, leading to stronger social skills and community involvement.