Air Tube Exhibit

Language Extension: UP & DOWN

Welcome to the Air Tube! You’ve seen how scarves soar up and float down in the tube. Here are more ways to practice UP & DOWN while building attention, prediction, and expressive language.

  • Scarf Races: Take turns sending scarves into the tube. Say:

    • “Up, up, up!” as it rises.

    • “Down, down, down!” as it floats back.

  • Prediction Game: Ask your child, “Which way will it go next?” Pause and wait for their response.

  • Counting & Movement: Count scarves as they go up or down: “One, two, three scarves going UP!” Encourage your child to repeat or add their own words.

  • Opposites Practice: Talk about the opposites — “Up! Down! High! Low!” to build vocabulary.

At the Museum: More Ways to Play & Use UP and DOWN

At Home: Play with UP and DOWN

  • Ball Toss or Bubbles: Practice sending balls or bubbles up into the air and watching them come down. Use phrases like “Up!” and “Down!”

  • Outdoor Play: Swinging, slides, or tossing scarves or balloons: narrate the movement — “The kite goes UP! Now it comes DOWN!”

  • Turn-Taking Games: Take turns throwing and catching, emphasizing prediction: “Who will catch it? Up or down?”

Language Tip: Predict & Wait

Use a “Ready, set, go!” routine before sending the scarves (or other objects) into the air. Pause and let your child predict or comment:

  • “Which way will it go?”

  • “Ready… set… go!”

Extra Tip: Encourage your child to use words or gestures to describe movement — “UP!” “DOWN!” or “Catch it!” This builds vocabulary, attention, anticipation, and expressive language.