3 Easy Show and Tell Clues for a Ear

Is it "Letter E" week in your child’s classroom? While the letter E can sometimes be a challenge (it’s not as easy as finding a "Bear" for B or a "Car" for C!), it offers a wonderful opportunity to explore something we use every single second of the day: the Ear.

Choosing an Ear Show and Tell theme is brilliant because it’s interactive, educational, and—best of all—everyone already has a pair! Whether your child wants to talk about how they hear or bring in a fun "Ear of Corn" from the garden, this guide will help them shine in front of their classmates.

What Exactly is an Ear?

To a five-year-old, an ear might just look like a funny, wiggly flap on the side of their head. But as a parent or educator, you can explain it as a "Sound Catcher."

The part we see on the outside is called the pinna. Its job is to act like a funnel, grabbing sounds from the air—like a bird chirping or a teacher’s voice—and zooming them down into the ear canal. It’s a nature-made satellite dish!

Why an Ear is Perfect for Show and Tell Letter E

When searching for a Show and Tell Letter E item, we often look for toys. But choosing a part of the body (nature!) or a natural food item makes the presentation stand out.

The word "Ear" starts with that classic "E" sound, making it a perfect phonics example. Plus, if your child is feeling creative, they can bring a photo of an elephant (with giant ears!) or a real ear of corn. The flexibility of this theme allows your child to talk about biology, healthy eating, or even how animals use their ears differently than humans.

Sensory Details: The "Show" Part

To make a presentation engaging, encourage your child to use sensory language. If they are talking about their own ears or a model of an ear, have them describe these details:

• The Texture: "Feel the top of your ear. Is it hard or soft? It’s made of cartilage, which is bendy like a noodle but strong!"
• The Shape: "My ear is shaped like a C or a shell."
• The Sound: "Ears don't just 'look'—they listen! What is the quietest sound you can hear right now?"
• The Weight: If bringing an Ear of Corn, describe the "bumpy" kernels and the "silky" hair at the top.

Presentation & Acting Tips

Since you can't exactly "hand out" your ear for the class to touch, here are some ways to make the presentation more "theatrical":

1. The "Big Ear" Prop: Have your child draw a giant ear on a piece of poster board or wear a pair of funny oversized headband ears. This gives the class something visual to focus on.
2. The Secret Whisper: Have your child ask their classmates to cover their ears. Then, whisper "Letter E is excellent!" Ask them if they could hear it. This demonstrates exactly what ears do!
3. The "Ear of Corn" Reveal: If using corn, have your child peel back the husk (the "clothes" of the corn) to reveal the yellow kernels inside.

Questions to Practice:

• "What is your favorite sound to hear with your ears?"
• "How do you keep your ears clean and safe?"
• "Do you think animals have bigger ears than we do?"

3 Fun Facts About Ears to Impress the Class

Include these "did you know" moments to help your child feel like a real expert:

• Ears Never Sleep: Even when you are fast asleep, your ears are still listening to sounds! Your brain just learns how to ignore them so you can rest.
• Ears Help You Stand Up: Inside your ear, there is a tiny bit of liquid that tells your brain if you are standing up straight or leaning over. Without your ears, you would be very wobbly!
• Earwax is a Bodyguard: It might seem icky, but earwax is actually like a shield. It protects the inside of your ear from dust, dirt, and even tiny bugs!

Whether they are pointing to their own "sound catchers" or holding up a harvested ear of corn, your child’s Ear Show and Tell is sure to be an ear-resistible success!