Hi Tina, embedding listening skills involves how chidlren gain and retain information and how their focus or attention is attracted so that they're able to hear and understand/comprehend what's being said or signed. Rest, quiet and sleep patterns are activities that enables daily experiences to embed into the subconcious. So routines that support all levels of physical activity help children learn how to examine and reflect on the information they've encountered.
Rested children are capable of concentrating for longer periods of time than tired children who might become restless after a while. Similarly children with an attention defict disorder will struggle to maintain focussed concentration.
Interesting areas with interesting conversations that invite examination, feedback, manipulation of resources will raise the awareness of how listenting is a positive/beneficial act.
Listening during the
pre-linguistic and linguistic phase,
active listening or receptive speech is where hearing and understanding work together to comprehend contexts.
Sustained shared thinking, being close and aware of each child helps everyone take part in listening activities and contribution
Embed listening activities:
- Read books aloud, making observations about the text and pictures as the story progresses and if appropriate after & before the story is read. Ask and invite questions about the storyline & title. Point to areas, characters, objects within the illustrations to highlight, and provide the time that's need to 'listen, use facial features, eye contact for the child to build expressive understanding and to enjoy taking part in their own listening.
- Provide time to absorb the information that images/pictures provide, this 'pause that enables understanding may support the ability to wait whilst listening to others information sharing.
- Storytelling with and wthout props - role play with small world figures, dress up - types of play helps to see the possible communication that could occur and the cooperation/listening in play that may be expected.
- Examine spaces/environments and discuss what's there, what isn't and what is happening
- Provide narrative observations of children whilst they're engaged in activities and observation so that they are able to listen to a flow of vocabulary that describes their surroundings and happenings.
- Ask how a child or group of children are feeling
- Name things and ask for views
- Explore simple instructions, message passing, questions and answers
- Be aware of using language that is overly complex
- Use music and instruments as an activity to listen to, explore rhythm - boom boom beep, boom boom beep, beat and tempo
- Know rhymes and action songs to teach and enjoy
- Cd players and headphones
- Games with minimal 'rules
Play 'I hear with my little ear'
- Provide plans/building ideas/visua or tactile stimuli for connective toys that enable discussion and narrative on what's happening.
- Take listening walks - storybook on amazon.co.uk and game on talkingpoint
- Be prepared to intervene to help a listening child contribute during group discussion
- Be responsive to times when children enage with you, these will be optimal, self motivated times of them actively wanting to listen to what you have to say.
Children of 2-3 yrs development: Talkingpoint development guide
Hth xx
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Supporting silkysteps
For a list of level 3 diploma learner handbooks on amazon.co.uk