Focused listening is one of the most important skills your child will ever learn. Kids with good listening skills do better in school, sports, relationships and eventually in their careers. But many children (and adults) lack this important skill. How can you help?

Listening is much more than just hearing—merely receiving sound. True listening is the conscious process of gaining meaning from the sounds we hear. It implies being able to focus on the message, screen out distractions and make a meaningful connection with the content of the words. Good listening requires practice because it takes effort to do it.

Here are some ways to help your child be a better listener:

  • Model good listening by intentionally gaining your child’s attention before speaking. Make eye contact if possible. Model responses to their messages with appropriate body language such as nodding.
  • Engage in conversations with your child on topics of his or her choice. Mealtimes are often a good time for this. Model listening attentively.
  • Read aloud to your child every day. Stop often to ask for predictions or opinions.
  • Play the “add one more” game. Give one direction (“touch your nose”) then add a second direction and ask your child to do the tasks in sequence. Add as many directions as you can before errors are made.
  • Take a listening walk with the express intention of noticing sounds. Shhhh. What do you hear? Where is the sound coming from? What is making that sound? Keep a log of your experiences.
  • Play sound pattern games. Tap on a drum or clap hands in a variety of rhythms. Have your child repeat them. You can play this game with the syllables in words as well.

Good listening skills are built over time. Adults need to give cues to say, “It’s time to focus now. Let’s listen.” Mastering listening skills will benefit your child’s learning throughout life.