Support your child to build their listening skills
An essential skill for your child to have is listening. Good listening skills will allow your child to adjust to new people and new places as they begin to attend pre-school or school. Being good at listening will help your child to learn, understand and follow instructions.
There are many things you can do at home to support your child to build their listening skills.
Games to build your child's listening skills
Here are some fun ideas for games that will help to build your child's listening skills
- Go on walks and see how quiet you can be, listen to the sounds you can hear
- Play ‘I Spy’ and ‘Simon Says’, as this will help your child concentrate and recall information
- When reading with your child stop at certain points; if it's a book they're familiar with, see if they continue the story or ask them to recall the story so far
- Use dinner time as times where family members can take turns to talk and listen to each other. You might discuss plans or list two good things about each of your days
- Be a good listener yourself, get down to their level to talk to them
- Avoid distractions such as radios, TV, phones and pets in the background and try to have your child’s full concentration when practicing listening
- Point out when your child has done some good listening and reward them
- If you have a child that does not like to finish an activity try giving ten minute, then five minute warnings so they can prepare to finish up with their activity