I’m not really all that metacognitive about teaching my kids listening skills. I’m sure it works better some days than others despite the fact that I don’t actively incorporate this into our school time.
I recently have had some lightbulb moments when I noticed my son was learning on his own how to listen actively.
I want to to practice Listening Skills in our homeschool.
And I love his interpersonal skills. He often reprimands me, but kindly: “Look at me, Mama!” and then he tells me or shows me what he wants. This is a great skill that my husband and I should really have mastered with four kids. In this age of rampant ADHD and behavioral disorders, many parents and teachers would rather treat the symptoms instead of solving the problems that cause these disorders, whether imaginary or real chemical deficiencies.
I am learning to be a better listener with my children. I know they require my undivided attention and deserve my respect when they speak to me. By looking directly at my kids while they speak, I am teaching them to respect others who are speaking – and that’s a great life skill.
I am so pleased that my children are learning to listen so well and I vow to be more diligent to keep them active and attentive listeners as we continue to practice these skills.
Preschool Listening Skills with Games, Nature Study, and Learning
My three-year-old son, Alex, really did well with listening to directions with Funnix Reading and Math this week. I love how it offers clear directives and teaches listening and following directions just as much as reading and math skills. He has his little pointer and follows what the “teacher” tells him. It’s like a dialogue and he did wonderfully for his first lesson. We’re also thoroughly enjoying All About Reading Level 1!
Alex and his six-year-old sister, Kate, played so sweetly together with the light box and rainbow blocks. They usually power struggle with each other, but they took turns and listened to each other well. I was a proud mama.
We practiced being quiet and listening to the birds, wind sounds, and the crunchy snow beneath our boots on our snowy nature walk. He whispered so he didn’t scare the birds and deer we saw on our hike. He pointed out lichen and leaves and the frozen pond to me with dancing eyes.
More fun ways to work on listening skills:
- Simon Says games
- Directed coloring pages (Alex likes the ones from 1+1+1=1)
- Narration with or without props (like puppets!) – we also like to discuss and review body parts at bathtime with bath puppets.
- Following directions with chores
- Helping in the kitchen (with kid-sized tools!)
- Q&A after Bible lessons
- Montessori sound matches and studies
- Music, instruments, and composer studies (we like to discuss the high and low notes, fast and slow tempo, and different instrument sounds)
- Looking speakers or teachers in the eyes and repeating what is said so it is understood and then completing the direction
- Go on a Letter Walk and point out things that begin with a certain letter
Do you have any tips to improve preschool listening skills in your kids?
Essential Oils to help with attention:
- Vetiver
- Cedarwood
- Lavender
- Brain Power
- Frankincense
