Read aloud story books, chapter books or have children listen to books on disk. Engage in class discussion of the plot, predictions, characters, foreshadowing and other literary techniques that contribute to understanding. Explore not only the surface details and rote recall of simple facts, but also subtle matters of emotions, characterization and other issues raised in the story line.
Provide opportunities for children to give formal reports or informal show-and-tells. Teach other children to listen carefully and give them the chance to ask questions. Explain the difference between asking a question that the speaker already answered in the presentation and asking a question requesting new information or clarification. Encourage the children not to ask the speaker to repeat himself too often, as it shows that you were not listening the first time, which good listeners should do.
Use the writing process to promote good listening through peer editing conferences. Pair children up or put them in small groups. You may also choose to have students take turns reading their drafts for the entire class. Train children to listen carefully for parts they like, confusing parts or parts where they want more information. Listeners can take written feedback notes or ask questions and give verbal suggestions when the reading is done to help the writer improve the story or essay.
Read a short nonfiction passage to the children. Teach them how to take notes while you read. Ask them to use the notes to rewrite as many details from the passage as they can remember.
Set up an activity that requires children to follow a series of verbal instructions. For example, string beads in a given order or draw a picture according to your exact specifications.
Play auditory discrimination games. For instance, blindfold one child and have another child say something. The blindfolded child must listen carefully to the voice and guess who is speaking. Another option is to hide some simple instruments or noise makers behind a curtain with matching objects in front. Demonstrate the sound of each object to familiarize children with the associated sounds. Play one of the objects behind the screen. Children listen closely and take turns playing the matching instrument or noisemaker from the front side.