How to Develop Listening Skills for Children
Children need to develop listening skills for future performance in work, social and school situations. Honing listening skills in children takes time and patience. With a few exercises performed on a daily basis with children, you can foster the development of listening skills that will benefit them later in life. By exerting clear communication and modeling listening skills yourself, your child will absorb the principles of focused attention, recall and implementation she will need for success.
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Instructions
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Engage the child in conversation. Speak slowly and use words he understands. State facts and ask the child to repeat what he has absorbed; for example, "We're having chicken for dinner. What are we having for dinner?"
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Read interactively with the child. Stop at the end of every two pages of a children's book and ask questions about the parts of the story you've read.
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Listen to children and other family members. Exemplify listening skills by avoiding interrupting others, acting attentive when others are speaking and referencing words others have said.
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Hone your child's audio skills by listening to children's books on tape while traveling in the car and discussing them with her after your ride. Play children's music and sing along together so the child learns to listen to the lyrics and melody closely.
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Cook or build with the child. Read aloud instructions from an easy recipe, toy assembly instructions or dance instructions. Perform the task together after each step.
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Give instructions via tape recorder. Make a cassette tape with your child's name on it and leave a short chore list in audio form. Stage a treasure hunt and leave "clues" or directions on the cassette for the child to follow.
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Whisper to the child. Lower your voice and whisper slowly and clearly so that the child must focus his attention on your words.
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