Introduction
Listening is an essential skill for students to develop, as it plays a crucial role in communication and social-emotional learning. In this blog post, we will discuss an easy-to-implement, no-prep activity designed to help PreK students improve their listening abilities. We will also provide discussion questions to further enhance students’ understanding and practice of effective listening.
No-Prep Activity
This activity, called “Listen and Act,” requires no preparation or materials from the educator. To begin, have the students sit in a circle. The teacher will then provide a series of simple instructions for the students to follow, such as “Touch your nose,” “Clap your hands,” or “Jump up and down.”
As the students complete each instruction, the teacher should observe and provide feedback on their listening skills. For example, if a student is not following the instruction, the teacher can gently remind them to listen carefully and try again. The activity can be made more challenging by providing multi-step instructions or incorporating new vocabulary words.
Discussion Questions
- Why is it important to listen carefully when someone is speaking to us?
- What are some strategies we can use to help us focus on what someone is saying?
- How does it feel when someone is not listening to us? How can we show others that we are listening to them?
- What are some situations where good listening skills are especially important?
- Can you think of a time when you used your listening skills to solve a problem or help someone?
Related Skills
Beyond listening, there are several other skills that contribute to effective communication and social-emotional learning. Some related skills that can be taught alongside listening include:
- Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
- Nonverbal communication: Interpreting body language, facial expressions, and gestures to gain a deeper understanding of what others are trying to communicate.
- Active listening: Fully concentrating, understanding, and responding to what someone is saying, rather than simply hearing the words.
- Conflict resolution: Addressing disagreements and finding solutions that work for everyone involved.
Next Steps
Now that you have learned about the importance of listening and have an easy, no-prep activity to try with your PreK students, it’s time to explore more social-emotional learning skills. We encourage you to sign up for free samples of various skills and activities at Everyday Speech. By incorporating these resources into your teaching, you can help your students develop the essential skills they need for success in the classroom and beyond.
