In the bustling world of preschool classrooms, filled with vibrant colors, storytelling, and playful giggles, there lies a fundamental skill that is often overlooked but holds the key to effective learning: listening. As early childhood educators, we recognize the power of active listening, and that’s why we’ve introduced the Preschool Listening Toolbox Activity and Lesson Plan to seamlessly integrate this skill into your curriculum.

Why Listening Skills Matter in Preschool

At the preschool age, children are sponges, absorbing every bit of knowledge they encounter. This formative period lays the foundation for future learning and social interactions. Listening, in this context, becomes the bridge between passive existence and active understanding.

Introducing the “My Listening Toolbox” PDF

Our downloadable PDF, “My Listening Toolbox,” offers educators a creative way to teach listening strategies. It encompasses six primary listening techniques, specifically tailored for young minds. But the real charm lies in its interactive design—a visual toolbox for students to cut out and place their newfound listening tools within, giving a tangible touch to an abstract concept.

Lesson Plan: Building a Strong Listening Foundation

Objective: By the end of this lesson, preschoolers will understand the significance of listening and will be introduced to various listening strategies through hands-on activities.

Materials:

• “My Listening Toolbox” PDF for each student.
• Scissors.
• Glue.

Storytelling Session (5 minutes)

1. Read a short, engaging story to the class.
2. Periodically pause to ask questions, ensuring the children are paying attention.

Introducing the Listening Toolbox (10 minutes)

1. Distribute the “My Listening Toolbox” PDF to each student.
2. Discuss each of the six listening strategies, using simple language and examples.
3. Demonstrate how they can cut out and place each strategy into their visual toolbox.

The Quiet Game (5 minutes)

1. Explain the rules: children should remain silent and listen to the sounds around them.
2. After a few minutes, ask the children to share what they heard.

Role-playing (10 minutes)

1. In pairs, have one child speak while the other practices one of the listening strategies.
2. Rotate roles to ensure each child gets the chance to practice listening.

No-Prep Activity Ideas for Continued Engagement:

1. Sound Bingo: Use daily classroom sounds to play a game of bingo, enhancing listening skills.
2. Feedback Sessions: Let children talk about their day, while the rest practice listening skills.
3. Echo Game: Say a sentence and have the children repeat it back to you, ensuring they listened carefully.

Planting the Seeds of Active Listening

Listening is more than just hearing; it’s understanding, empathizing, and learning. The Preschool Listening Toolbox Activity and Lesson Plan serves as a roadmap, guiding our little learners on the journey of effective communication. Together, let’s shape a generation that not only speaks but listens with intent and heart.

Sample Video

Students learn best from watching real students their own age model skills. Try out this sample video-modeling lesson below. We offer our entire Social-Emotional Learning platform free for 30 days here!

Related Blog Posts:

Active Listening Skills for Students: Activities and Strategies

Teaching PreK Students to Listen and Follow Directions: A Guide for Educators

Building Effective Communication Skills in Preschool: Pragmatic Language Explained