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July 3, 2008 by: Amy

Are You Listening?

Everyone (including myself) could use a little practice listening, paying attention, and following directions sometimes. Here are some fun and easy ways to practice and strengthen attention and listening skills:

When you are reading or telling a familiar story to your child, make a mistake, such as, “When Goldilocks arrived at The Three Frogs’ house, she went inside without knocking.” See if your child catches your mistake! My girls love this so much that we sometimes have to read whole stories this way! Start with very obvious errors, then gradually work toward more subtle changes. Great listening skill-builder, plus works on that reading comprehension stuff too!

Play some classic childhood games like Red Light, Green Light, Follow the Leader, or Simon Says (I prefer Mommy Says). Make up your own rules for added variety and challenge: Red light means sit down, green light means walk backward, yellow light means hop in place. My girls love their chance to lead these type of games too – it’s fun to watch Mommy do all kinds of crazy moves! :)

Help your child learn to follow two- and three-step directions by hiding an object in the room, then giving directions to find it. For example, “Find your tiger. Go to your bedroom, open your closet, and look in your black shoe.” This activity is great practice, of course, for those mornings when you do need them to go to their rooms, open their closets, and find their shoes!

I love using musical instruments to practice listening skills, too. Kids are naturally drawn to rhythms, plus playing with instruments is fun, so this hardly seems like work of any kind. Try tapping or playing a rhythm and then have your child repeat it. Any instruments work for this – drums, rhythm sticks, tambourines, etc. – or just clap, pat your knees, or click your tongue. Start with simple rhythms, where all your child has to do is count the number of beats. Move into more sophisticated patterns that vary in speed (quick-quick-quick-slow-slow) or volume (loud-soft-soft-loud). Another variation is to play a simple and familiar tune, such as Jingle Bells or Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and see if your child can guess the song.

If you have some fun ways to build listening skills, please share! Happy Playing!

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Comments

  1. Amii says

    July 3, 2008 at 9:45 am

    Great post! I have a question for you…do your children have excellent manners? I am having a really hard time trying to get my 3 year old to reciprocate respectfulness! I know it’s the age but he is EXTREMELY demanding and won’t take no for an answer. I need help! Do you have any great ideas for instilling manners and respect? My husband and I show lots of that between the two of us, towards our child and with others but my little guy doesn’t get it apparently!!!

  2. Laura says

    July 4, 2008 at 10:18 pm

    I loved this post. I have changed the words to familiar stories and songs since my boys were very young and they really love it. My oldest does this on his own now sometimes to be funny. And it is funny!
    Love your blog. I just posted it on my sidebar today.

  3. katey says

    May 7, 2009 at 5:21 pm

    I still looking around your blog and get your lot ideas! but one things some it hard for me and my kids because we are deaf… my kids need to learn to how to listen to me . any ideas for me?

    thanks :)

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