Lydia’s Garden Band

Lydia and Evelyn start a garden band. Mum sits nearby. Lydia turns a blue tub into a drum. Evelyn taps two wooden spoons together.

They begin a slow beat, but the drum makes a strange rattle. Lydia stops tapping and looks around the tub. Where does the extra sound come from?

Evelyn spots a gap between the lid and the side of the tub. “The lid is moving when you tap,” she says, pointing to the loose edge.

Mum holds the tub while Lydia presses the lid firmly into place. They check all around it before Lydia tries another soft tap with her hand.

The rattle has gone. Evelyn hears a clear drum sound. She copies Lydia’s steady beat with the spoons. She leaves a little pause between each tap.

Then Lydia changes to two quick taps and one slow tap. Evelyn listens carefully before joining in, so their sounds fit together again.

Mum asks for a turn leading the band from the bench. The girls follow her quiet pattern. Then they take turns making a rhythm for everyone to copy.

They finish with one last tap and put their instruments away. “We fixed the rattle first,” says Lydia, “and listening helped us play together.”