Are you looking for ways to help students excel on learning experiences that require listening? If so, keep reading.
1. Play games designed to teach listening skills (e.g., Simon Says, Red Light-Green Light, Mother May I? etc.).
2. Train the student to carry a notepad with them at all times and write information down to help them remember.
3. Get the student to take part in practice learning activities designed to create their listening skills (e.g., following one-, two-, or three-step instructions; listening for the main point; etc.).
4. Show one concept at a time. Make sure the student knows each concept before presenting the next.
5. Give instructions on a one-to-one basis.
6. Converse with the student when they do not listen to explain (a) what they are doing wrong (e.g., not listening to directions, explanations, and instructions) and (b) what they must be doing (e.g., listening to directions, explanations, and instructions) and why.
7. Get the student to practice listening skills by taking notes when directions, explanations, and instructions are presented.
8. Minimize visual and auditory stimuli in and around the classroom that interfere with the student’s capacity and ability to listen successfully (e.g., close the classroom door and windows, draw the shades, etc.).
9. Show directions, explanations, and instructions as simply and clearly as possible (e.g., “Get your book. Turn to page 29. Do problems 1 through 5.”).
10. Give the student public announcements, directions, and instructions in written form.
11. Minimize distracting stimuli in the environment (e.g., place the student on or near the front row, Give the student a carrel or “office” space away from distractions, etc.). Use this strategy to reduce distracting stimuli, not as a form of punishment.
12. Praise the student for listening: (a) give the student a concrete reward (e.g., classroom privileges, 10 minutes of free time, etc.) or (b) give the student an informal reward (e.g., praise, handshake, smile, etc.).
13. Praise those students in the classroom who listen to directions, explanations, and instructions.
14. Teach information-gathering skills (e.g., listen carefully, write down essential points, ask for clarification, wait until all information is presented before starting a task, etc.).
15. Rephrase directions, explanations, and instructions to enable the student’s comprehension of what is being presented.
16. Reward the student for listening. Possible rewards include oral praise (e.g., “You did a great job listening to every step of the instructions!” “You were able to tell me five details.” etc.).
17. Plan essential learning activities , tasks, and lectures at times when the student is most likely to keep attention (e.g., one hour after medication, 45 minutes after lunch, first thing in the morning, etc.).
18. Teach the student instruction-following skills (e.g., stop doing other things, listen carefully, write down essential points, wait until all instructions are given, question any instructions not grasped, etc.).
19. Show ideas following the outline of (1) Who, (2) What, (3) Where, (4) On occasions where, (5) How, and (6) Why.
20. Stand directly in front of the student when delivering directions, explanations, and instructions.
21. Read this article that we wrote on developing listening comprehension skills.
22. Read this article that we wrote explaining why verbal comprehension skills are important to academic success.
23. Read this article that we wrote on what you should do when your child struggles with verbal comprehension.
