Listening skills is one of the essential abilities for the overall development of children. It is vital for effective communication, learning languages, social interaction, and academic success. It is also imperative for them to acquire artistic skills, such as perceiving music creatively.

Biologically, the hearing abilities of kids fully develop before the age of 6 years. Socially, listening abilities depend on the ambience or vibe at home and interaction with family members. It is better if parents know their kids’ listening abilities early on rather than later.

Eight methods that improve your kid’s listening skills

1. Reduce distractions

When kids are distracted, they look like they are listening to you, but their focus is on something that grabs their attention. It could be a TV playing nearby, kids making noise in the neighbourhood, or even cell phones.

Restricting distractions helps your child focus on what you are saying. Switch off the TV, close the door if the noise from outside is too loud, and gently take back the smartphone from your kids. While communicating with preschool kids, ensure they give all their attention to your words. Explain to them why listening to someone with their full attention is essential.

2. Give directions in simple language

You cannot expect a preschool child to understand every word the first time they hear it. They may listen to the terms and correlate them with the actions they observe. But they may not always understand what it means in different situations or contexts.

Therefore, use simple terms to make them understand your instructions or information. Do not hesitate or lose patience when repeating your directions.

Break down your instructions to enhance their listening skills and explain them in detail by showing what they should do when you give specific directions. It helps them understand better and strengthens your communication and bond with them.

3. Get down to the level of your child

Try to stay at their eye level while communicating with your child. Sit or kneel so that you are observing your kid, and make sure the kid is listening. The physical closeness also helps them concentrate on what you are saying.

4. Simplify your interactions

While talking to a kid, please understand that they have a short attention span and try to explain in simple and short sentences.

Give the kid sufficient time to understand. Allow them to ask questions and respond with patience. Try to explain your point with examples or stories. It helps you prevent your child from losing interest in the matter.

5. Have a Dialogue

While communicating with kids, always listen to them when they wish to speak instead of making it a monologue. It shows the child that you value their opinion.

Please do not lose your patience and silence them when kids interrupt you with something that does not make sense or seems irrelevant to them. The worst thing is telling a child that you are the authority and know what is best!

6. Encourage questions

Encourage your kids to ask questions when they do not understand what you say or if they want to know more. It helps them understand and retain information better.

7. Read aloud

When reading a story or textbook to your kid, read loudly and clearly. It helps them grab the pronunciation, listen, and remember better. Ask them questions to check whether they retain and remember what you read. If they do not answer correctly, reread them. You can read at different paces or voice modulations to enhance their listening skills.

8. Play listening games

Preschool kids can benefit from playing active listening games, such as Simon Says, I Spy, and Follow the Leader. It helps them listen well while engaging in other activities, like running around or jumping, and having fun.

Conclusion

In conclusion, many methods and practises improve the listening skills of kids. They are very effective in enhancing the kids’ schooling and academic performance. All it takes is a little effort and acceptance from the parents.

At Kids Castle, we incorporate practises and activities that promote the listening skills of our preschoolers, among other abilities.

Read our other blog on “Why Play-Based Learning is Important for Preschool Children” and don’t forget to subscribe our Youtube Channel.