Peter and the Wolf is a classic orchestral piece and story, written in 1936 by Sergei Prokofiev. It is about a Russian boy who disobeys his grandfather and goes out in the woods to hunt for a wolf. The story is told with a narrator and orchestra. Each character is represented by a different musical instrument. For decades, children all around the world have been enjoying this tale.
There are many activities you can enjoy with your children centering around Peter and the Wolf that will help with their listening skills, teach them about the different instruments in an orchestra, and build an appreciation for classical music.
Here is a place where you can listen to the story for free:
https://archive.org/details/ProkofievPeterAndTheWolfferrerGoossens
This YouTube video has a Disney illustrated version of the story that is fun to follow along with:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot7m9i70JDg
Here are some visuals, coloring pages and activities you can print out to have your children see or work on while they are listening to the story.
http://www.bethsnotesplus.com/?s=peter+and+the+wolf&searchsubmit=
For more information about the composer and the story you can listen to this short audio.
http://www.classicsforkids.com/teachers/lessonplans_prokofiev.asp
If you want your kids to release some energy while listening, have them dance around as they listen. Older children can act out the story as they listen to it. Each child can pretend to be a different character.
Regardless of the activities you do with it, Peter and the Wolf is a great story that you and your children are sure to enjoy together.
