What is noise?

Noise is like the extra sounds you hear when you're trying to listen closely, just like when you're trying to hear your friend whisper in a crowded room.

Imagine you’re sitting at a table with your favorite snack, and you're trying to hear what your mom says. But there are lots of other sounds around, the TV is on, someone is walking by, and maybe even the dog is barking. All these extra sounds make it harder for you to focus on just one sound, that's noise!

Noise can be anything that isn’t the main thing you're trying to hear or feel. For example:

• When you're reading a book, the fan buzzing in the background is noise.
• When you're listening to music, your brother talking loudly in another room is noise.

Sometimes, even things that are supposed to help can be noise, like when your little brother tries to help you solve a puzzle but keeps moving pieces around. That’s helpful noise, and it might make the puzzle harder or easier, depending on how much of it there is! Noise is like the extra sounds you hear when you're trying to listen closely, just like when you're trying to hear your friend whisper in a crowded room.

Imagine you’re sitting at a table with your favorite snack, and you're trying to hear what your mom says. But there are lots of other sounds around, the TV is on, someone is walking by, and maybe even the dog is barking. All these extra sounds make it harder for you to focus on just one sound, that's noise!