I need some activities or interventions to improve listening skills in a child.?

Question

I need some activities or interventions to improve listening skills in a child.?

Answer 1

Simon Says is a good old-fashioned listening skills exercise. :)

Answer 2

Read the Bible to them, and pray with them. Teach them the Pledge of Allegience with "Under God" in it. Teach them that the 10 Commandments are the basis of all law, and that without belief in God there is no law.

Answer 3

whisper your instructions, you'll be suprised at how much they will stop to hear your words. Espically if you reinforce quick listening to those quiet directions.

Answer 4

One thing I do to help my children listen during story time for example, is tell the children ahead of time that I am going to read a story and ask some questions after the story so they really need to pay attention carefully. In the beginning stages, I give them hints as to what the questions might be, so the can be sure to watch out for them.

Another thing I do to let them know that they really need to listen is sing a song that goes like this (frere Jaques tune) "eyes are watching, ears are listening, hands are still. hands are still. Any my mouth is quiet and my feet are quiet...listening time! Listening time!" I often remind them throughout the learning/story/listening time by saying "eyes are watching please!"  or  "Mouths are quiet  please!"  

Repetition is also key. Once I teach the children something, they immediatly listen as soon as they hear the song, or sit down for story time.

Answer 5

"Carnival of the Animals" by Saint Saens is a wonderful suite of music.  Play the CD but don't tell them what each piece is called 'cos that will spoil the fun,

.  Get them to listen to each section then get them to guess what animal it was trying to be.

  If the children are older, get them to work out what instruments were used too.

Answer 6

put them in a sport where they have to learn the rules and listen to what the coach says to them and other things on that level.

Answer 7

Here's a fun game-like idea called "Gossip".

The instructor tells a secret to one person in the class who is instructed to pass it on to the next. The "secret" is a sentence or two such as "Blue Bears eat fish, berries and grass in the woods all winter long." If possible, the instructor should use instead a sentence that is work-related or contains work content. Each participant hears the secret repeated in a whisper from the person before and similarly passes the secret to the next person. The last participant is asked to repeat the secret aloud for the class to hear. This is done to prove the point of how important it is to listen actively.

Answer 8

Couple years ago I experienced the same problem with my then 3 1/2 year old. I was pondering on what to do or who I should turn to, until I discover Dora The Explorer television series.

The character Dora is well like by preschoolers and parents alike. She has her young viewers involved throughout the episodes, because without their help she cannot solve the problem.  

It really helps with listening skills as well as gaining plenty of knowledge as the program is very educational.  Children listen attentively because they have to be ready to assist Dora on her adventure.

I highly recommend her dvds, books and I can say all her toys are educational. You will not only improve listening skills but imaginative and problem solving skills.

Answer 9

I would sometimes bring in a bunny puppet.  It hid if the children were not listening.  They knew it was play, but they really made an effort to be quiet so the bunny could listen to the story too.  If they were good listeners, they got to pet the bunny after the lesson.

Once in a while I would dress like one of the characters in the book or lesson I was trying to teach.  They would giggle at first, because they knew it was me, but then they really paid attention and got involved.

Answer 10

I teach kindergarten and first grade and when the noise level rises in the classroom I whisper, "if you can hear me put your hands on your head, if you can hear me put....."

Another thing I do is have the kids repeat or answer questions that I just gave the answer to. ie. Put your name on the right side. What side does your name go on? (the right side) Read lots of books and ask questions after each page, eventually ask questions after 2 pages, 3 and so forth until you can get through the whole book and then ask questions.

I hope this helps!!! Good luck!

Answer 11

Singing songs, playing with their toys with them, watching age appropriate but riveting movies or shows.   Baby Einstein programs are great for little ones, especially if you sit with them and discuss the show, identifying and describing what they are seeing.   Also reading picture books to them is a great exercise in concentration.

My 2 year old is NUTS  for Monsters Inc, Barnyard, Shrek, Ice Age 1 & 2 and Happy Feet.   He acts out the scenes as the movie plays, it's hysterical.

Answer 12

the game telephone, you start then you tell someone a whole sentence untill they quitely passed it arond the room and then at the end if it is what you started withy give them treats

Answer 13

get a book that he/she is familiar with and as you read, leave off key words for the child to say as you go.  This keeps them engaged in a story, and prevents them from drifting off.  singing rhyming songs or fingerplays like, where is thumbkin, help prolong attention spans also.

Answer 14

I had to read some info to my Brownie troop.  I put on a large pair of pajamas, carried a teddy bear, gave them a blanket and told them to lay down while I read to them.  It worked and they thought it was funny.

Also keep it short when attention skills are low.  Let them talk too.  Ask for their input.

Answer 15

provide the child interesting and educational activities such as "Learn to Read through the use of vcd's", its available to some bookstores. The child will soon learn the sound of the letters which will make him/her ready for the future schooling.