Explain the importance of good listening skills in the classroom. Talk to the students about the differences between passive and active listening and why good listening skills are important.
Set an example in the classroom. Always make eye contact with a student who is speaking to you. Respond with affirmative comments that demonstrate you are listening and engaged with what the student is saying. Include specific comments in your response that demonstrate having paid close attention to what the student said.
Play different games in the classroom that help the students to develop listening skills. Games for younger children, such as "Simon Says" or "Green Light/Red Light", are fun activities for children that encourage them to listen closely and carefully.
Read stories to the class and engage the students in a question and answer period about the stories. Involving the students in a conversation about the story encourages them to listen to the specific details of the story. A helpful activity for younger children is to read several versions of the same story. Change a few basic details in each version of the story. For example, substitute a blue hat for a red hat, a puppy for a kitten and so forth. Ask the children to identify the differences.
Remove distractions from the classroom. Separate children who are constantly talking to one another, close the windows and doors if outside noises are interfering with the class, and try to make the classroom environment warm and comfortable. An unattractive and sterile environment is not conducive to learning.
Give the students periodic breaks and downtime. In addition to the scheduled recess period, allowing students a few minutes to relax, stretch and unwind during the course of the school day will help foster better concentration and focus throughout the rest of the day.