Sound Waves for Kids: Vibrations, Hearing and the Story of 'I’ve Never Sawn That Before!'

Sound is everywhere—from the hum of a fridge to the song of birds in the morning. But what is sound, and how do our ears turn those vibrations around us into what we hear? Let's learn about sound waves for kids!

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In this post, we’ll explore sound waves in a way children can understand, and share how the children's book 'I’ve Never Sawn That Before!' by Kristin Blakely (illustrated by Julia Galotta) connects sound with hearing, safety and inclusion.

What Are Sound Waves?

When something vibrates—like a drum skin being struck or a rubber band plucked—it moves back and forth very quickly.

Those vibrations push on the material around them (air, water or solid objects), causing a ripple effect. These ripples are sound waves.

Sound waves travel through a medium—so sound cannot travel through a vacuum (no air) because there are no particles to carry the vibration.

Interestingly, sound waves travel faster through denser materials (solids) because the particles are closer together and pass the vibration more quickly.

Exploring Pitch & Volume

Not all sounds are the same. A whistle has a higher pitch than a drum boom because the object producing it is vibrating much faster. The size and speed of vibrations determine pitch and volume.

Activities like stretching rubber bands of different sizes or making water-filled glasses help children hear and feel these differences.

How Our Ears Hear & Why Protection Matters

Our ears gather sound waves, send them through a sequence of vibrating parts (eardrum, tiny bones, inner ear hair cells) and finally our brain interprets them so we hear. Because hearing depends on delicate structures and on sound waves being in the right range and not too loud, we must protect our ears. Too loud or too long can cause damage. This is why in the episode we highlight hearing health.

The book 'I’ve Never Sawn That Before!' introduces children to Nate, a child with hearing aids who experiences bedtime worries and real sounds (and imagined sounds) around him. The story helps all children understand that hearing can be different, and that help (like hearing aids or an understanding grown-up) matters.

By tying in the science of sound waves and the inclusive story of Nate, the episode builds both curiosity and empathy.

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