According to SchoolFamily.com, a child's listening skills are important to his success at school. Listening is a skill that parents will have to work on with their child as it is something they need to learn as they grow. Baby Center likens listening to a muscle---it needs to be constantly worked out to keep it humming along at peak performance. Parents can do many things that don't require a lot of time or money to foster their child's listening skills.
Step 1
Say, "Listen carefully," before telling your child something. Consistently using this phrase will signal to your child that you are going to say something she needs to listen to. These simple words can be used anywhere from the store to the playground.
Step 2
Look your child in the eye. This lets him know you are not only getting ready to say something important, but will be ready to listen to his response. Teach him to look you in the eye when he is listening or saying something to you.
Step 3
Ask questions. Asking your child questions when she is speaking to you shows her that you are actively listening to what she is saying. Help her to do the same when you are talking to her.
Step 4
Read to your child often. As you read him stories, ask him what he thinks is going to happen or have him come up with an alternate ending. This will help him become engaged in the story and pay attention to what you are saying.
Step 5
Play listening games. Simon Says is an old classic that doesn't require any equipment and can be played with any number of children. Story chain is another good game that fosters listening. Each player builds on a story sentence by sentence. Your child will have to listen so that she is following the story and knows what could happen next. Have your child close her eyes and listen to sounds you are making around the house and have her guess what you are doing.
Tips and Warnings
- Educational stores carry a wide variety of games and teaching tools that help children learn to listen. Modeling good listening skills is an important way that parents can show their children how they want them to behave.
- If you feel your child may have a hearing problem, you should have him evaluated by his doctor since some hearing loss happens during childhood and is not present at birth.
Things You'll Need
- Story books
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