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The Real ABCs
Teach Your Kids Listening Skills
By Jodie Lynn
2. Make another game out of it using a favorite doll or action figure. Storytelling is one of the very best ways to practice this skill. Let the doll or action figure tell a story. Then let the child practice by holding the item and let them tell a story. When you talk, show them how to pay attention and listen. When they talk, show them how you are quiet and pay attention. Take turns repeating the story to each other to test your child's skills – keep it fun.
3. Read to your child. This interaction teaches how to listen and helps practice the process while ensuring the child has an amusing experience. Before you begin, tell the child you are going to zip their lips and then pretend to do it. Tell them you are going to lock the zipper and throw away the key. When they want to say something, get the pretend key and unlock the pretend lock and unzip the pretend zipper and let them talk. Of course, to be sure that they get it, they will want to zip and lock your mouth, and then unlock and unzip it too.
