To do: Use Instrument 3 Part Cards to learn the names of 6 different instruments
Time: 15 minutes
Materials: Printable 3 Part Cards + the 3 period lesson below
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We have a new set of 3 Part Cards for you! We’ve chosen 6 different instruments to help increase your child’s vocabulary and explore the wide world of musical instruments.

First, print or view these Three Part Cards.

You’ll see two pages, identical except for different cut lines. The instruments included are: Trumpet, Clarinet, Flute, Tuba, Snare Drum, and Saxophone.

Next, use the cards to give your child a three period lesson!

Start by looking at only the picture card together. Ask “What is this?” If your child already knows the name of the instrument, that’s great! If they don’t, set the card to one side, essentially making a pile of known cards and a pile of unknown cards. Go through all 6 cards this way, then start again with the images your child isn’t familiar with.
Select 3 of the unknown cards. Introduce the item, “This is a Tuba.” You can leave it at that, simply introducing the name, or you could speak about the sounds a tuba makes.
Go through all 3 card this way.
Next, using the same set of 3 cards you’ve just learned, ask your child to do an action with the card. For example, “Give me the tuba”, “Point at”, “Pick up”, or “Put the __ over there”.
Lastly, point at or pick up a card and ask your child, “What is this?” Your child will be confident in their new vocabulary after working with it in three different ways! Continue with a new set of cards if your child is interested, or save some for another day.

For pre-readers, practice sounding out the names of the different instruments together. “This is a Saxophone. What sounds can we hear in saxophone?” This is helpful practice for your child as they begin reading and writing.

Additionally, if you have any of these items in your home, like the actual instruments or even small figurines, compare them to the image card! Speak about the physical properties of the instrument: Shiny, gold, many buttons, black, heavy.

For your older child who is comfortable reading, introduce reading the label and finding the corresponding image card. The card with the image and label connected is called the control card, your child can use this card to check their work when their finished!

Another great introduction to the orchestral instruments is “Peter and the Wolf” by Sergei Prokofiev.

Here’s a fun, immersive video from the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the conductor tells the fairytale of Peter and the Wold while conducting, and he’s a very convincing storyteller at that! The video is close to 30 minutes, so perhaps watch the instrument introduction in the first few minutes to gauge your child’s interest. Alternatively, have the video on in the background if you’re playing or cleaning up!

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